IT’S BEEN a long time coming. After five inglorious seasons, the Ateneo Blue Booters have finally returned to their former glory as one of the premier football teams in national collegiate sports.
Moving from their sole loss of Season 75 to archrivals De La Salle University (DLSU), the Ateneo Blue Booters played aggressive football to cap off their second UAAP round with a 3-0 trashing of the National University (NU) Booters on Wednesday, February 6, at the Ocampo Field.
Meanwhile, La Salle lost their final match of the round to University of the Philippines (UP), 1-2. Jinggoy Valmayor carried the defending champs to victory, scoring both goals, one of them in the dying seconds of the match.
The win secures the Blue Booters a twice-to-beat advantage with their 8-3-1 win-draw-loss record. After two rounds of football, Ateneo leads the standings at first followed by Far Eastern University (FEU), UP and DLSU–the best performance of a Blue Booters squad since being denied a four-peat by FEU in the 2007 finals.
Team Ateneo controlled possession and pestered the NU backline with numerous attempts right at the kickoff.
Rookie Valentino Calvo struck gold for Ateneo when he scored during the 28th minute care of a pass from fellow rookie Luis Mendoza from the middle. Calvo launched a left-footed shot along the left side and saw it embrace the right corner of the NU goal, 1-0.
NU’s backline was given no quarter by Ateneo as the boys in blue had no plans of scoring just one goal like they had all season long. Frustration seeped into the already physical match as NU skipper Joey Lacson started a scene after elbowing Emman Paredes and Mikko Mabanag.
At halftime, Ateneo led the way, 1-0.
Just like he did early in the first half, Calvo slotted in another goal for Ateneo in the 51st minute. Carlo Liay saw Calvo in deep at NU’s right side and crossed the ball over. Calvo received it in the clear, way ahead of the NU defenders, and scored one-on-one against NU keeper Hayeson Pepito to give Ateneo a 2-0 cushion.
The Blue Booters appeared to have scored almost three minutes later, but to the dismay of the Ateneo faithful, the official called offside after Liay’s smash found the NU net.
In the 57th minute, Ateneo’s persistence paid dividends once more when rookie Armand Gozali beat four NU defenders from the middle for a shot right outside the box. Pepito deflected Gozali’s initial boot, but the former was unable to recover in time to stop the Xavier high school standout’s follow-up shot, which flew straight to the undefended goal. Ateneo was up 3-0—their biggest lead of Season 75.
Still not satisfied, Calvo, Eric Figueroa, Toffee Sumulong and Thomas Cruel attempted to increase the 3-0 Ateneo lead, but were denied. NU’s sole attempt of the half came from Mark Sampaga, but his shot went over and out.
This year’s football tournament will feature a Top Four semi-final round. With their twice-to-beat advantage, Ateneo plays against DLSU on Thursday, February 14, 2:00 PM at the Ocampo Field.
