FEU back on UAAP men's football throne after dethroning Ateneo

Karl Absalon jumps high in celebration after scoring the opening goal for FEU. UAAP Season 85 Media Team

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Far Eastern University reclaimed the UAAP men's football championship after taking the title away from Ateneo with a 3-1 win in the final on Thursday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Karl Absalon opened the scoring for the Tamaraws in the 12th minute, while Gerals Estores struck another in the 30th minute to bring more delight to the FEU faithful inside the packed venue.

Galen Fernandez took one back for the Blue Eagles in the 66th minute, but a costly error from their backline off a Tamaraw free-kick in the 86th minute put the lead back up to two, 3-1.

Adding more misery, Ateneo shot an own goal in the fourth minute of added time.

FEU won the championship after an eight-year wait even as it now has a chance to complete a season treble if the Lady Tamaraws beat the De La Salle Lady Green Booters in the women's football final on Sunday.

On the other hand, the Blue Eagles failed to sustain their top-seed status in the end as they fell to the worst loss in a UAAP men's football final since the UP Fighting Maroons also beat them, 4-1, for the 2016 title.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno