THE BLUE Eagles were able to secure a victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Saturday, April 2 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City. It was a crucial affair for both squads, with the teams separated by a mere three points; before the match, the Ateneo was in fifth place with 15 points, while UST was at the top of the table with 18.

The Blue and White started out strong right out of the gates, as they manufactured two scoring opportunities in the first four minutes of the game. Their revitalized offense during this second round of the tournament looked great against the top-seeded team, as the Blue Eagles almost took a two-goal lead. Instead however, UST took advantage of two errors from the Blue and White.

After a missed scoring opportunity from the Ateneo, UST converted on a quick counter-attack. The Katipunan-based squad seemed to overcommit on offense, leaving the defense outnumbered by the surging Growling Tigers. AJ Pasion eventually ended up scoring for the Growling Tigers after finding himself with just one Blue Eagle to beat. And just 11 minutes later–off a failed defensive clearance–another goal was scored by UST’s Renz Gumban, who was left open by the Ateneo defense.

It has been these types of defensive errors that have plagued the Blue Eagles all season long. Whether it be failed defensive clearances or missed markers, these mistakes have led to a number of easy goals for their opponents. The Ateneo would then only wake up and show signs of life when there usually was not enough time left on the clock. Unfortunately for UST however, the Blue Eagles have been a completely different team in the second round.

On the 26th minute, defender Xavier Alcuaz was able to score after Team Captain Mikko Mabanag whipped in a low ground cross from a free kick. Alcuaz ended up sliding the ball to the back of the net after he found himself unmarked at the far end of the goal.

Then, on the 57th minute, the lethal Jarvey Gayoso struck a venomous free kick that was deflected in by Julian Roxas. To the naked eye, it seemed as if Gayoso’s free kick went straight into the top left corner of the goal. However, upon further review–and much contention–it was seen that Roxas guided the ball with finesse through a subtle header.

Meanwhile, striker Emilio Acosta, who came in at the 70th minute, scored a brace in just 11 minutes. Just two minutes after coming on, the super-sub ended up hitting the ball into the back of the net after a frenzy in the UST box from a corner. The striker then clinically struck the ball into the bottom corner after the Ateneo caught UST trying to equalize. With the Blue and White up 4-2 with 10 minutes left in the game, Acosta’s goal was the final nail in the coffin.

“My contributions don’t really matter, it’s the three points that really [matter] to me,” said Acosta, when asked about getting on the scoresheet after his long goal drought.

The victory has vaulted the Ateneo up to third place in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78 Men’s Football standings with 18 points and a +10 goal difference. On the other hand, UST has dropped from first to fifth place after the day’s proceedings.

The Blue Eagles’ next game will be against the University of the Philippines, 4PM, Thursday, April 7 at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field in the Ateneo de Manila University campus. It will be another important match for the Blue and White, who are above the Fighting Maroons by a five goals.

https://storify.com/TheGUIDONSports/ateneo-comes-back-from-2-goal-deficit-to-stun-ust-