DOWN TO 10 men, time seemed to move in slow motion as Blue Booter co-captain Gab Siojo launched a header, which eventually gave Ateneo the equalizer they desperately needed, last January 23, at the Ocampo field.
The goal, however, was not as pretty as it seemed—it was everything but. It was scrappy, driven out of pure gust, and perhaps even luck.
Siojo’s goal attempt was heading into the goal, but was deflected by FEU keeper, Loeben Wayco, only to hit Blue Booter Caesario Kapunan for the tie. The equalizer broke the Blue Booters’ two-game losing streak. For the FEU Tamaraws, it was an unfortunate goal to concede as they were on the brisk of winning their first game of the season.
The Tamaraws controlled the tempo throughout the game. They used their aggressive attacks, and speed to gain an advantage. The Booters held their ground and fended off the charges by the Tamaraws.
But early in the first half, the Blue Booters lost striker, Anton Amistoso due to cramps. Amistoso over-exerted himself going full-steam against two Tamaraws—it was a pivotal setback, the striker is not only their playmaker, but is the only player who has scored thus far.
With Amistoso out, both teams were slipping and sliding, succumbing to the field’s poor conditions. The best chances came from awkward bounces, and the loss of possession due to the patches of wet mud. As the minutes passed, the Tamaraws began to look dangerous, prompting Ateneo defenders to giveaway dangerous free kicks outside the box.
On the third consecutive free kick, the Tamaraws finally capitalized on the Blue Booters’ carelessness. Although the free kick was indirect, it was struck with power, slipping past Ateneo’s wall and their keeper, Joel Faustino.
The conceded goal elicited an immediate response. Blue Booter, Aji Oppus had a chance to equalize, but the FEU keeper denied his shot.
FEU gave Ateneo another scare when a FEU striker quickly pounced on a shot deflected by a Faustino save, but Faustino amazingly managed to regain composure to save the follow up strike.
As the halftime whistle sounded, relief was evident in the players’ faces; the FEU Tamaraws had worked the Blue Booters.
In the second half, things took a turn for the physical. Careless sliding tackles, pushes, and shoves—referees countlessly separating Blue apart from Green. Mario Marcelo could not keep is temper in check as he unleashed an elbow right in front of the official, resulting in a red card.
The second half dragged on and without any team scoring until Kapunan’s equalizer with four minutes left. FEU had two more goal attempts, which were all blocked by Fustino. The last whistle finally sounded. At the end of 90 minutes, Ateneo had salvaged their first point of the UAAP season, saving them from an embarrassing third straight loss.
Head Coach Ompong Merida praised his boys for the strong character they displayed throughout the game. “I am glad my players fought all throughout the game. We were tested and we came out strong even after losing two players.” declared the proud coach who added “You can also see how this game emphasizes the gradual progress improvement of the team. Everybody is doing their roles better.”
The Blue Booters next face the UST Growling tigers, on Thursday, 3pm at the Erenchun Field.
