THE ATENEO Blue Booters’ push for the Final Four was dealt another blow, recording their second straight draw of the second round. This time around, it was against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters, 0-0, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.
Despite the score, the game gradually picked up the pace, and both teams had chances to finally put themselves ahead. However, finishing went wayward, while both goalkeepers pulled off some noteworthy saves. In the end, the archrivals settled for a point apiece.
From the kickoff, both teams appeared cautious, with most of the action happening in midfield. Green Booter Greggy Yang had the first highlight of the match four minutes in, when his free kick sailed over and behind the crossbar.
La Salle had another chance 12 minutes in with Carl Amisola letting a speculative shot go from long-range. His attempt, however, went wide.
Seven minutes later, Mikko Mabanag provided Ateneo with its first significant effort, but Josh Cruz comfortably saved his curling effort from the left wing. In the twenty-third minute, Mabanag produced another save from Cruz, this time from a free kick from long distance.
The Blue Booters then began to pile on the pressure, and in the thirtieth minute had the best chance of the game so far. Mabanag found himself on the left wing, and let out a dangerous cross, which met the head of captain Yu Murayama. However, the ball nearly grazed the upright, going just inches wide of the goalpost.
Mabanag once again contributed to another buildup six minutes later, dispatching another cross from the left wing, and this time finding Emilio Acosta. The former De La Salle Junior Booter then headed the ball, which went straight to the arms of Cruz.
It proved to be the last action of the half, as both teams headed into the break with the score at 0-0.
The second half proved to be more exciting, and it was from the outset. One minute in, a dangerous attack from Ateneo ended with a Mabanag shot that just went over.
Forty-nine minutes in, a DLSU counterattack caused a moment of worry for the Ateneo backline, which ultimately produced two incredible saves from goalkeeper JP Oracion. Center back Enzo Bonoan limped off injured, but returned after receiving treatment.
In the fifty-fourth minute, Oracion once again came to Ateneo’s rescue, palming away a stinger of a shot from Yang. However, he caused a nervy moment for himself three minutes later, after the former Junior Booter spilled a tame effort. Luckily for Ateneo, Kokoy Marcelino was there to clear the ball away.
Sixty-three minutes in, another Mabanag free kick produced yet another save from Cruz, which was turning out to be a contest between the two goalkeepers. Four minutes later, Ateneo caught La Salle on the counterattack. The ball fell to Acosta, who set the ball onto his left foot, but saw his effort drift over the bar.
With 11 minutes left in normal time, Oracion once again stepped up, palming away a La Salle shot after continued pressure from the Taft Avenue-based squad.
In what proved to be the last significant attempt of the match, Greggy Yang blasted a free kick in the eighty-eighth minute, which looked destined for goal. To Oracion’s relief, it too went over and behind.
Both teams desperately searched for the winning goal in stoppage time, but all their attempts proved futile. The referee blew the whistle, with much of the dismay exhibited by the Katipunan-based contingent.
With the point, Ateneo sustains its second-to-last position in the team standings with six points and a -6 goal difference.
The Blue Booters will look to return to their winning ways when they step onto the field once more on Sunday, January 19, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field. The squad, however, will face the daunting task of going against undefeated Far Eastern University at 3 PM.
