“Azkals. Call-up. Now.”
This was what long-time football commentator Bob Guerrero had written on social media after the demolition of Far Eastern University (FEU) of Recto rival University of the East (UE) last Sunday in the UAAP men’s football tournament.
Guerrero was referring to ace playmaker Gio Pabualan, a homegrown hero from the hinterlands of Bukidnon, who issued three assists off set pieces in the first half, then scoring a brace in the second half, en route to an 8-0 shellacking of the erstwhile league leaders.
Pabualan’s performance came on the heels of a three-game winless streak by the Tamaraws, a pre-season favorite in Season 85.
Prior to the demolition job, FEU lost twice against defending champions Ateneo de Manila with a similar 0-1 mark, and was held into a scoreless draw against the still winless Adamson University.
On the other hand, the dark horse Red Warriors came from an inspired win against the University of the Philippines, another pre-season favorite.
Off a set piece, Pabualan issued a lob pass from the top left corner for an RJ Pescadera header goal in the 14th minute to start FEU’s scoring rampage.
A long 19 minutes later, Pabualan shined again from the same spot, this time issuing a free kick toward the head of center back Mel Baylon for another header.
Pabualan then targeted the head of Baylon’s back third partner Viejay Frigillano to end the first with a dominant lead.
Despite early attempts by UE to aggressively attack the goal, FEU turned the tables and sizzled on their offensive end, scoring four goals from the 51st to 60th minute for the biggest win by any men’s team in Season 85.
During that stretch, Pabualan scored a brace from counterattacking strikes in the 52nd and 59th minute.
“We need to score, we need to win, yun lang ang goal namin today,” a tired Pabualan said after the game.
“We’ve been practicing set pieces. Yung pag-target lang at yung determination namin for each and every goal na matatanggap namin,” he added.
A proven winner, Pabualan who has scored four goals in the tournament, ended, “We’re hungry for more. [This] win is not enough.”
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