FEU extends winning run to six in UAAP Football

c/o UAAP

Far Eastern University rode on the heroics of Sherwin Basindanan to secure the win against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 86 Men's Football Tournament on Sunday night at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The veteran winger converted a header five minutes into second half injury time to emerge as winners, bucking a personnel disadvantage in the second half to claim all three points.

In reflecting about the victory, head coach Albert Besa shares, "It came at a crucial time; he’s been very hungry for this goal and it showed. The last one was actually a team goal, it was great that he was able to convert, and it was a glancing header — one of the hardest things to do."

He adds, "The boys had a great performance and we were able to come out with a win. There was a little mishap and we were down ten men but they really showed the attitude that they didn’t want to lose or even lose so they went all out."

The defending champions went ahead first, as Karl Absalon scored his fourth goal of the season after 36 minutes. But the happiness was short-lived as Khent Velasquez's foul just before halftime warranted a straight red card.

Ateneo would eventually find an equalizer in the 77th minute, as Kofi Agyei scored his seventh goal of the season.

But FEU found a way to steal all three points thanks to Basindanan's clutch performance, extending their winning streak to six matches and a +11 goal difference. They will be back in action on April 11, as they face Adamson at 4pm at the same venue.

Ateneo remains in third place with fourteen points, but their goal difference drops to +8 due to their second defeat of the campaign. They resume action at the same date against the University of Santo Tomas at 6pm.