Back-to-back University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion Far Eastern University (FEU) will represent the Philippines in the upcoming World University Football Cup in Xiamen, China slated on August 9 to 16.
The annual event will feature 11 teams from universities all around the globe.
The Tamaraws will go up against teams from Russia, Malaysia, Cameroon, South Korea, Brazil, Portugal, France, South Africa, Japan, Thailand and China.
“For now ang masasabi namin prepared kami. Pinaghahandaan talaga namin siya kasi it’s a big competition [As of now, I can say that we are well prepared for the games. We are really preparing for it because it is a big competition],” said Eric Giganto, the team’s captain in the last UAAP season.
Giganto added that they are sending the same players that played in the last season of the UAAP.
“Binigyan ng priority yung mga seniors na naglaro last UAAP season. So yung mga player namin last season sila pa rin [The team gave priority to the seniors who played last UAAP season. We will have the same roster as last season],” he said.
Veteran Jhan-Jhan Melliza, who’ve had already used his allowed playing years for FEU, is still expected to lead the Tamaraws with teammates Paolo Bugas and Arnel Amita.
“Proud kami dahil first time ‘yun in FEU’s history and karangalan na rin yun para sa Pilipinas. Ibibigay namin ‘yung best namin dun [We are proud because this is a first in the history of FEU and it will also be an honor for the Philippines. We will do our best in our games],” Giganto said.
Source: Jaelle Nevin Reyes of The Manila Times
