UP settles for a draw after a last-minute equalizer from FEU

Despite leading from early on, University of the Philippines settled for a draw, after FEU scored a last minute heartbreaker to end the game on a tie, 1-1, in the finals rematch of last season, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, October 20, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Having come from a 3-0 win against the UE Red Warriors on October 13, the Fighting Maroons headed into this game strong, with rookie Joseph Garces scoring the game opener in just the ninth minute of the game. This time around, however, UP wasn’t able to end the match on their terms.

UP had multiple chances to goal throughout the game, with Ramil Bation III, Jan Ceena Donato and Benjamin Palacio all having chances to score the first goal before Garces, and Liam Lampayan having two free kicks to score from in the second half, but in the end, it was only Garces’ shot that made it in.

All those missed chances came back to haunt State-U, when within the last ten seconds of the game, Theo Jico Libarnes of the FEU Tamaraws managed to put in a header at the 90+7 minute to level the game at 1-1, spoiling what was almost a win for UP.

After the game finished seconds after, it was the FEU Tamaraws who responded to the referee’s final whistle with cheers and celebrations, while UP looks to bounce back in the next.

The FEU Tamaraws, currently second in standings, finished the first round with 10 points and a plus-6 goal difference behind three wins, two losses, and this draw.

Meanwhile, the UP Fighting Maroons will be heading into their round-ender at fourth, above the DLSU Green Archers, with 7 points and a plus-3 goal difference from two wins, two losses, and a draw. The two teams are currently tied with 7 points, but UP leads due to their goal difference of +3 versus DLSU’s -2.

Their game will take place on Sunday, October 27, 4:00PM at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. The match was rescheduled from October 24 due to inclement weather.

This UP Fighting Maroons club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.