FEU-Diliman bags 9th straight UAAP juniors football title

FEU-Diliman. 9-time UAAP juniors champion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Far Eastern University-Diliman captured its ninth straight UAAP juniors football crown after a 1-0 victory over National University Thursday at Moro Lorenzo Field.

Pocholo Bugas scored the winning goal, his seventh of the tournament, in the 16th minute to extend the Baby Tamaraws’ dominance for another year in Season 81.

It was a valiant stand for the Bullpups, who reached the finals in only their second year of participation in the juniors’ division.

The two teams battled to two scoreless draws in the elimination round.

FEU also reigned in the individual awards with Marc Jessar Tobias taking home the MVP trophy. Karl Talaroc was named Rookie of the year, Bugas the best striker, Kristian Bumatay the best goalkeeper and Kiet Absalon the best midfielder.

UST’s Dominic Absalon got the best defender citation.

In the men’s play, University of the East stunned Ateneo, 1-0, while Adamson settled for another draw after a 1-1 standoff with University of Santo Tomas.

The Red Warriors held on to the lead after Joshua Polinag’s header in the seventh minute to claim their first win of the season.

With the draw, UST moved up on top of the table with four points.