The Far Eastern University (FEU) ended on top of one of the most controversial UAAP football matches in recent memory as the Tamaraws have entered their third straight men’s football final with a 1-0 squeaker past the University of the Philippines (UP) in the final four on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Diminutive striker Karl Absalon had the goal of his life, honoring his later brother Kieth Absalon, as the Season 87 sprinted solo past the hulking back third tandem of Charles Lobitaña and Viggo Herce, volleying a strike over the head of a stunned Fonzi Gonzalez, and hitting the winning goal in the 26th minute.
Super rookie Theo Libarnes issued the winning assist–a precise long-ball that bounced on the boot of the on-side Absalon.
“Yes, hand ni kuya ito, may guide talaga ni kuya,” an ecstatic Absalon told Fullcourtfresh.com after the game, referring to his slain brother Kieth, who was the reigning UAAP juniors Most Valuable Player before his untimely death in 2021 due to a landmine blast in Masbate.
“Talagang gigil na gigil kaming bumawi sa kanila kasi nung finals natalo nila kami, kaya gustong gusto naming bumawi,” he continued. “Kahit kulang kami, nandyan pa rin si kuya Kieth, nag-guide sa amin. Thankful kami na nakabalik finals.”
The game was marred with a late first half bench clearing melee, which resulted in red card bookings against UP manager Popoy Clariño and FEU defender Mel Baylon, which left the Maroons with no coach and the Tamaraws with only ten men in the entire second half.
In the final minute of the first half, Tamaraw wing defender RJ Pescadera was seen elbowing the chin of Maroon striker Florenz Tacardon in a live play in front of the FEU bench.
FEU manager Roman Oliver was then seen immediately pushing Tacardon away from the live play, giving space for a quick FEU throw-in, which sparked the bench clearing from UP’s side, with Clariño charging toward the FEU bench and several players and coaches from both sides getting involved.
“It was a tough match, a very emotional match. We played the whole second half with all our best players fighting like warriors, so I don’t even have to describe the feelings. So happy, but now we have a final to prepare for next weekend,” Oliver said.
Cian Galsim had two chances in tying the game via Hail Mary shots in the second half stoppage time, with the former shooting an on-target free kick from midfield and the latter with left corner inswing toward the goal but both were saved by goalkeeper Mon Diansuy.
Rekindling their Season 85 rivaly were the top seed Ateneo Blue Eagles, setting up their final rematch from two years ago with a 2-1 decider versus the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
Defender Jet Dela Cruz headed in the winner in the 70th minute to reward Ateneo a championship chance last won in 2019 under the leadership of now international star Jarvey Gayoso.
Gayoso’s national team colleague Leo Maquiling sank the opening goal in the 14th minute for the Blue Eagles, striking the ball inside the goal line despite a desperate attempt at a save by Miguel Abada.
The Tigers, though, responded late in the first half with a stoppage time strike by Kyler Escobar off a right corner set piece by Chris Valderama.
Ateneo manager JP Merida minced no words in containing the team’s joy coming to the December 15 final, commenting about their rematch with FEU: “Right now the best thing is to prepare. We need to go back to the screen to check their style going into the very last game.”
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