A BRILLIANT finish and an own goal allowed the Ateneo Blue Booters to remain undefeated and escape the defending champions, University of the Philippines (UP), 2-1, in their second round matchup last Sunday, January 20, at the Moro Lorenzo football field.
This victory marked the first time Ateneo swept UP in the men’s football division since the Blue Booters swept the elimination round in Season 68, 10-0, and went on to win the historic three-peat.
Ateneo nearly stole a goal in the first 31 seconds of play when a Mikko Mabanag pass found an open Jacobo Lorenzo near the right wing. Lorenzo’s shot, however, was caught by UP keeper Tyrone Caballes. Lorenzo threatened to score once more at point blank range in the 15th minute, but the ball was cleared to the relief of the UP faithful.
In the 28th minute, a corner kick by the Maroons was cleared. Lorenzo forwarded a Mabanag pass to rookie Carlo Liay who ran down the UP defense and went up one-on-one against Caballes. Liay, who scored the winning goal against UP in the first round, slotted the ball over Caballes to the upper left corner of the UP goal and into the net. Ateneo was up, 1-0.
The lead was short-lived, however, as the referee awarded UP a free kick after Ateneo co-captain Miguel Tuazon was called for a handball. Gabriel Mendoza took the penalty kick and tied the game at 1-all at the 31st minute.
Afterwards, UP turned up the pressure. Albert Yatco paid a visit during the 37th minute and fired a shot near Ateneo’s penalty box, but it went over. Mendoza had two more attempts in the 40th and 43rd minute, but did not translate into goals.
Determined to retake the lead, Ateneo’s spirited play was overshadowed by the entrance of star striker Jinggoy Valmayor, who did not play in the first round meeting against Ateneo, at the 46th minute. Valmayor immediately made his presence felt by lurking in the Ateneo half, waiting for a chance to score. His first clear attempt came at the 53rd minute, but his shoot hit the crossbar and went over.
Disaster struck for UP in the 65th minute when they committed an own goal, giving Ateneo the lead, 2-1. A free kick by Mabanag was deflected by the UP defense, but Deo Segunial’s subsequent header flew into the corner of the UP goal instead of going outside. Caballes could do nothing but stare in shock after his team’s error.
UP responded with a series of attempts at the Ateneo goal. Valmayor attempted from the corner in the 87th minute, but defender Cocoy Marcelino cleared it out. Valmayor’s corner kick was cleared in the following play.
During the four minutes of stoppage time, Mabanag had a decent look from the center, but his shot was too wide. Later on, keeper Yu Murayama saved two more shots from Valmayer and rookie Daniel Gadia, after which the official blew the final whistle.
Although a win is a win, it was quite a relief for the Blue and White given the circumstances. Team Ateneo conceded it’s first goal thanks to Mendoza’s penalty kick and the Blue Booters haven’t improved on their average of scoring one goal per game. Had it not been for Segunial’s own goal, the match may have ended in a draw.
Yes, the Blue Booters are undefeated, but much has yet to be seen as to whether Team Ateneo has reached their peak or are somehow about to run out of luck in what has been a Cinderella season.
