AFTER A four-year title drought, the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Football Tournament championship trophy is back in the Loyola Schools after the Blue Eagles’ 1-0 win over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws on Sunday, May 7 at the Rizal Memorial Field, Manila.
The victory gave the Ateneo Men’s Football Team (AMFT) its 7th title, the first since 2013. Ateneo finished their UAAP Season 79 campaign (including the Final Four and final) with 13 wins, two draws, and a single loss. Jarvey Gayoso yet again lifted the Blue Eagles, capping off his outstanding season with his 15th total goal.
“That was God-given,” Gayoso said of his goal. “We just made the most out of that opportunity, and we’re glad of how things turned out in the end.”
FEU was the most dangerous side early on, as they had a larger share of possession and better chances. They came close to scoring in the 18th minute, after FEU Team Captain Val Jurao found Audie Menzi open from a free kick, but the midfielder scuffed the opportunity, firing the ball over the bar.
At the 35th minute, Gayoso nearly scored from a free kick, but the ball hit the crossbar. He then redeemed himself four minutes later with the goal that broke the stalemate. The Blue Eagle striker capitalized on FEU midfielder Paolo Bugas’ misplaced pass back to the keeper, and scored after the initial shot was blocked by RJ Joyel.
With the momentum on their side, Ateneo kept chugging along and tested the FEU backline multiple times. Jordan Jarvis nearly doubled the lead in the 49th minute, but his attempt from distance hit the crossbar yet again. The Blue Eagle defense, led by Jayrah Rocha in the center of the back-three and AJ Arcilla between the sticks, kept the score line intact and steered the Blue Eagles to the win in the remaining minutes.
The game also marked the final match of AMFT Team Captain Carlo Liay, who started and finished his UAAP career with championships.
“It feels great, I can’t really describe it right now. It’s like the beginning and the end, the perfect story,” explained Liay on ending his collegiate career with a title.
Blue Eagles nearly sweep season awards
The awarding ceremony for the UAAP Men’s Football Tournament took place after the match. Blue boothers Arcilla, Gayoso, Jarvis, Rocha, Julian Roxas, and Enzo Ceniza were named to the Mythical XI, along with Paolo Bugas and Rico Andes from FEU, Jed Diamante and Noel Brago from the De La Salle University, and Darryl Regala from the University of Santo Tomas.
Three Blue Eagles also garnered individual awards; Arcilla won the Best Goalkeeper Award, Rocha earned the Best Defender Award, and Gayoso garnered the Best Striker Award with 12 goals in the eliminations. Jarvis bagged the Rookie of the Year title, while Gayoso also took home the Most Valuable Player trophy. FEU’s Bugas was named as the season’s top midfielder.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Poe, Rocha, Grierson; Mathay, Roxas, Herrera, Ceniza, Jarvis; Liay, Gayoso
FEU: Andes, Bugas, Canonigo, Cubon, Ferrer Jr, Joyel (GK), Jurao (c), Menzi M., Menzi A., Monterona, Saldivar
Substitutions:
Ateneo: 75′ Haosen on for Ceniza, 77′ Baña on for Herrera, 90′ + 1 Alilam on for Roxas, 90’ + 2 Castillo on for Mathay
Yellow Cards: Cubon, Monterona, Saldivar
Gayoso lifted the AMFT to their first title in four years.
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