DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University bested Ateneo, 4-2, to force a three-way tie in second place in the UAAP men’s football tournament at the UP Football Stadium.

The Tamaraws survived a six-goal thriller to halt the Blue Eagles’ three-match undefeated streak.

The substitutes stabilized FEU in stoppage time, as McJay Neniel scored off a Khent Valenzuela assist to restore the two-goal cushion.

“Well in the first half, they went out and they didnt have the passion because of that their play was very predictable, they were just going for the same kind of play which was a long ball behind the defensive line,” said Tamaraws coach Albert Besa.

“After halftime talk, they were able to adjust that and they came out the fire was there they had a lot of nice combination plays and possessions but I think the main challenge in the second half was the decision making when to attack and keep the ball,” he added.

With six points, FEU is now level with University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines, one off Ateneo, which is now tied with La Salle on top of the table with seven points.

The Tamaraws took a 2-1 lead as Karl Absalon’s header went straight to Artuz Cezar, but the Blue Eagles keeper lost control of the ball allowing the second year forward to score his second goal of the season, four minutes after the restart.

Absalon then assisted Sherwin Basindanan’s 69th minute strike, his first of the tournament, to give FEU a two-goal cushion.

The Tamaraws had a chance to built a 4-1 lead but Viejay Fregillano’s penalty sailed way above the bar in the 84th minute.

Instead, Ateneo pulled one back as Kofi Agyei produced a 86th minute screamer, the Ghanian’s fifth goal of the season.

Agyei tried to give the Blue Eagles the equalizer a minute later but keeper Jerick Fabrigas was there to save the night for coach Albert Besa’s side.

FEU opened its account via a Martini Rey fifth minute penalty.

Ateneo leveled 13 minutes later as captain Jose Lopez scored a header off a Leo Maquiling.