THE BLUE Booters fell to the UE Red Warriors with a score of 0-1 on February 9 at the Ateneo college field. Payback was sweet for the Morayta-based squad as they avenged their 0-1 loss to Ateneo in the first round.

Similar to their previous loss to UP, the Blue Booters conceded a goal late in the second half despite playing competitive football for most of the match.

The first half featured an Ateneo squad hungry for a win. Anton Amistoso, Miguel Tuazon, Joel Faustino, Emman Paredes and Mikko Mabanag played important roles in the early offensive runs by the home team.  A handball by a UE defender in the third minute awarded a penalty kick to the Blue Booters—the same kick that gave Ateneo the victory over UE in the first round.

Just like in their first meeting, Mabanag took the penalty shot. Unfortunately, his foot partially touched the pitch, thus decreasing the power of his shot. Moreover, UE keeper Robert Martos read Mabanag’s shot well this time and corralled the ball.

Compared to Ateneo’s multiple runs, UE only paid a few visits to the Ateneo half. These runs were either denied by the back four composed of Tuazon and rookies Jico Noel, Cocoy Marcelino and Anthony Sunico. Co-captain and keeper RS Mantos also returned to the lineup for the men’s team after his five-game suspension. Mantos and the defense absorbed all the runs by UE’s Temoteo Balloban, Michael Tulio, Reginald Gomez and brothers Fitch Johnson and Fitch Florence Arboleda.

Near the 70th minute, Fitch Florence Arboleda took an attempt as the ball landed in front of him after an initial deflection by Mantos outside the goal. The goal was wide open as Mantos approached to deny the first attempt; Arboleda’s shot went right to the net.

Although the Blue Booters played good offense throughout the match, their finishing woes haunted them, especially when they attempted to equalize the score after UE’s goal. Shots by Amistoso and Mabanag nearly went in but grazed the crossbar and the goal posts and a well-timed header by Yu Murayama was caught by Martos.

This second consecutive defeat for Ateneo in two games pulls the Booters to the bottom of the standings at this point in the second round. The men in blue now find themselves under pressure to win their three remaining games in order to claim a spot in the final four.

The Blue Booters next face UST on Sunday, February 12, 1:00 PM at the Ateneo High School football field.