IN THEIR last match of the elimination round, the Ateneo Lady Eagles held on against the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons for a 3-3 draw, on Sunday, April 23 at the Moro Lorenzo Field in Ateneo de Manila University.

The Lady Eagles culminate the eliminations in third place at 8 points with a 2-2-4 record and a -8 goal difference in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 Women’s Football tournament.

With the DLSU Lady Archers completing their sweep in the elimination round, as they defeated the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in the following match (3-1), this merits them an automatic finals berth. As for the 2nd seeded UST and 3rd seeded Ateneo, a playoff match has been set up for the spot in the championship game.

Tessa Bernardo was brought into the starting lineup, as winger Nona Amoncio was unavailable due to sickness. Isay Sabio, who usually starts at center back, was moved to right back as Jolly Catedrilla and Annika Ong were the choice pairing in central defence.

Striker Cam Rodriguez and midfielders Pam Diaz and Bea Velasco provided the goals for the Lady Eagles, whilst Eloisa Malmis, BG Sta. Clara, Bling Perez hit the back of the net for the Lady Maroons.

The Lady Eagles got off to a tremendous start, netting two goals within the first eight minutes. Two minutes after kickoff, the Ateneo midfield launched a through ball to a rushing Rodriguez, who made no mistake in getting into the box and firing a shot past UP goalkeeper Nicole Adlawan for the opening goal (1-0). In the 8th minute, the scorer was turned provider, as Rodriguez booted a low cross to Diaz at the top of the box. The midfielder calmly controlled the ball, eluded her defender, and angled her shot towards the far corner to double the Ateneo lead. (2-0)

The Lady Maroons were able to pull a goal back in the 29th minute through Eloisa Malmis on a set piece from the right flank. Sabrina Nierras hoofed a dangerous deadball into the Ateneo box, which forced Ateneo goalkeeper Mariane Caparros off her line to challenge. However, Caparros was unable to deal with the ball, as the chance fell to Malmis who lofted her shot into the open goal (2-1).

At half time, Sabio was forcibly subbed off for freshman Gabby Esguerra after suffering an injury late in the first half.

The UP equalizer occurred in the 65th off another set piece. Although Caparros was able to get a hand to the corner kick from the right side, the ball ricocheted and landed at Sta. Clara’s feet who knocked in UP’s second to tie up the match. (2-2)

The Blue and White regained their advantage in the 83rd minute. A cross from the left wing by substitute Gabby Esguerra was headed on by Velasco to the right wing for Tessa Bernardo. The winger did well to beat her defender and send a ground cross into the box. Velasco met the ball with a one-touch attempt on goal that flew over UP substitute goalkeeper Vanessa Estarda to move the score in favor of the Lady Eagles (3-2).

Late drama ensued just three minutes later as the Lady Maroons were again able to equalize. Caparros was forced off her line by UP attacker Cristine Delos Reyes who slid the ball to substitute Bling Perez for the tap-in. (3-3)

Despite a late charge from the Lady Maroons, the Lady Eagles were able to stave off the onslaught for the draw and a their fourth third place finish in a row.

After the match, Ateneo captain Cam Rodriguez praised her team’s hot start and continuous fighting sprit in the match.

“I’m really proud of how everyone started the way we wanted to, however we started to slow down, which wasn’t what we wanted to do. We wanted to pick it up in the second half, and then we conceded [due to] crucial lapses, but I’m very happy with how the team just held on and fought until the last second.”

Looking forward to the playoff game, Ateneo head coach Jay Pee Merida mentioned that his wary of UST’s offensive prowess.

“Kung titingnan natin, yung UST, yung fitness talaga nila masyadong mataas. We need to improve the conditioning and fitness ng players namin. Threat talaga ang frontline ng UST. They have Cherisha Lemoran and Hazel Lustan talagang na-cocombine. They know each other, talagang ganda talaga ng combination nila sa flanks.” (If we look at UST, their fitness is really high. We need to improve the conditioning and fitness of our players. The UST frontline is also really a threat. They have Cherisa Lemoran and Hazel Lustan who really combine. They know each other, and really combine well on the flanks).”

Ateneo’s next game will be their playoff matchup against the UST Golden Tigresses on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 8AM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The winner of that match will take on the DLSU Lady Archers in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Football finals.

Ateneo Starting XI: Ateneo XI: Caparros (GK), Ong, Sabio, N. Catedrilla, Villaflor, Velasco, Diaz, Siy, M. Catedrilla, Bernardo, Rodriguez (c)

UP Starting XI: Adlawan (GK), Alleje, Augustin, Delos Reyes (c), Nierras, Malonzo, Malmis, Mendoza, Ruiz, Sta. Clara, Yalong