IN THEIR first game of the second round, the Ateneo Blue Booters struggled against the UP Maroons. After losing to them by a narrow 1-0 margin in the first round, the Ateneans were swept by their fellow Katipuneros on February 2 at the Erenchun field.

Right at the opening whistle, the Fighting Maroons seized the game. Their defensive back four, Allen Serna, Juan Miguel Roy, Deo Segunial and Raymark Fernandez made short work of any offensive run by the Blue shirts.

Despite a sloppy start with a few poor possessions, UP dismantled Ateneo. Nii Ayi, UP’s controversial import, scared the home crowd with effortless scoring attempts from way out in the center field. Nathan Octavio and Stephen Permanes had clear runs and attempts that either were too wide, went over, or were denied by Ateneo keeper Joel Faustino. Rookie sensation Gerardo Valmayor battered the gates, slithering through the Ateneo defense, looking to score.

UP’s dominance forced Ateneo to remain on the defensive end. Fighting for every possession, the Blue Booters were immediately denied by the monstrous UP defense: the Maroons rejected two free kicks by Luigi Meer and the Gab Siojo-Emman Paredes connection was denied thrice by UP—yet again, the Blue Booters lacked offensive options.

Ateneo’s defense seemed to be able to stop UP runs just at the nick of time; but their luck inevitably ran out. UP finally broke through the gates during the second half when Valmayor scored the first goal from within the penalty box.

Valmayor riddled the defense with fakes and when it seemed like the defense was about to nick the ball away, Valmayor sent the ball sailing through Ateneo keeper Faustino.

The physicality of the game was highlighted by an unintentional elbow by Lorenzo to the face of UP defender, Fernandez; meanwhile, Ateneo defender Miguel Tuazon received a blow to the stomach which sent both Tuazon and the UP player to ground in pain, disabling them for a few minutes.

Ateneo playmaker Anton Amistoso struggled due to his injuries. Rookie Gabe Manalo also experienced contact that caused him to run with a limp—the Blue Booters were bruised and battered by the UP Maroons.

UP tried to add to their goal tally with attempts from Jay Eusebio, Octavio and Permanes. But it would be John Rances who would seal the deal with an emphatic stunner into the net with eight minutes left to play, clinching the win for UP at 2-0.

The Blue Booters remain winless after six games with a record of 0 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. (0-4-2). They look to register their first win against the UE Red Warriors on Sunday, February 6, 1pm at the Erenchun Field.