FEU beats UP for UAAP men’s football title

MANILA, Philippines — Make that a double for Far Eastern University.

After the Lady Tamaraws’ earlier win, the Tamaraws followed suit by blanking University of the Philippines, 1-0, in game 2 for the UAAP men’s football title Sunday at the FEU-Diliman field.

Jess Melliza, the league’s leading goal scorer, delivered the clincher for FEU on a spectacular header, which was simply out of reach of UP’s keeper Ace Villanueva,  in the 72nd minute

“When I scored I thought maybe that was luck, but I was really determined to win,” said Melliza in Filipino. “This gave our senior Dexter [Chio] a good exit.”

“He [Melliza] had good ability today,” said FEU’s Korean coach Kim Chul Su. “And the team gave its 1,000 percent effort.”

The Tamaraws didn’t let UP’s star striker Jinggoy Valmayor, who would’ve returned from a 2-game suspension, get the chance to suit up.

“I’m not bragging but even when Jinggoy is there, we’re not scared because I’m confident with my teammates. Our coach trusts us,” Melliza also said.

Paolo Bugas, FEU’s lethal weapon in finishing first in the eliminations, was named the men’s Most Vauable Player, while teammate Arnel Amita was declared Best Midfielder.

It was also the men’s squad ninth championship, with their last title coming in Season 72 and repeated as champs in the women’s side. FEU could make it treble if its juniors’ squad reign over Ateneo on Saturday.

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