Ateneo de Manila University bounced back off a their first season defeat while Far Eastern University (FEU) is in a three-game winning streak as last season’s finalists surge to the top of the UAAP Season 86 men’s football standing Sunday at the University of the Philippines (UP) Football Stadium.
The defending champions Tamaraws blanked their U-Belt rival University of the East, 2-0, to be at second place with nine points off three straight wins and a loss from their opening game.
Attacking midfielder Martini Rey, one of several national team pool members from the UAAP, opened FEU’s scoring with an 18-yarder from top of the box in the 42nd minute.
Substitute forward MacJohn Naniel then padded the lead with a late 88th minute goal off an assist from Karl Absalon.
“With the caliber, the talent of this team, it wasn’t hard to motivate them with the mindset of pushing for a winning mentality,” commented FEU manager Arturo Besa about their win streak.
“It was more about our mental adjustment, reminding them that this team was handpicked from all over the Philippines and if you ask me, this could be the national team. That’s their caliber, in my opinion. ” the rookie mentor added.
The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, recovered from a 2-4 loss against the Tamaraws with a 1-0 nipping of the UP Fighting Maroons in the Katipunan derby.
Center back and skipper Jose Antonio Lopez scored the lone goal in the 50th minute off a set piece scramble from a right corner kick.
He alongside back third partner Jet Gabriel Dela Cruz blocked a number of shots from the Fighting Maroons later in the game while reigning Golden Glove Artuz Cezar saved a couple of shots and goals and a number of gathered balls from passes to UP’s final third.
“It doesn’t matter who scores, it matters to win. I’m happy as a captain that we get the win,” Lopez said after the game.
“It’s very important being physical especially against UP, they play strong, they’re aggressive. The duration of the game we found our physicality and we finished strong,” Lopez added.
The Blue Eagles, who will meet archrival La Salle next Sunday, top the league with 10 points off three wins, one draw, and one loss.
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