THE ATENEO Men’s Football team closed in on their second consecutive University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) finals appearance in their 2-1 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Thursday, May 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila.
With both squads’ seasons on the line in the one-match knockout semifinal, Striker Jarvey Gayoso’s two first half goals proved to be the difference in the battle between the league-leading Blue Eagles and the fourth-seeded Growling Tigers.
The Blue Eagles were in full strength, playing their preferred starting XI while UST Head Coach Marjo Allado interestingly had dynamic forward A.J. Passion on the bench to start the match. Coming of a two-week break, both teams though looked listless in the opening minutes.
The Growling Tigers used an offside trap throughout the game to contain the dangerous long balls to that has been one of the strengths of the Blue Eagles. Because of this, Ateneo was flagged numerous times in the match, but they were also able to take advantage of the high UST backline in their first goal.
In the 22nd minute, Midfielder Enzo Ceniza prodded the UST defense before playing a perfectly timed through ball to Gayoso. With acres of space in front of him, he then brought the ball to his preferred left foot and slotted the ball to the bottom right corner. The Blue Eagles appeared to score another a mere five minutes later, but Julian Roxas’ tap-in after a Gayoso free kick was deemed offside.
Shortly before the half ended, Gayoso again showcased his attacking brilliance with his second goal of the match. The second-year forward collected the ball in his own half, whizzed through the Growling Tiger backline, and scored with a calm finish.
Ateneo were firmly in control of the match until that point. Halftime adjustments— the introduction of Passion and the UST defense marking Gayoso— turned the tables. Nine minutes into the second interval, the Growling Tigers pulled one back through a Marvin Bricenio goal. He pounced on a cross the blew past AJ Arcilla and tapped the ball in to cut the deficit to a single goal.
UST continued the press on in search for that elusive goal to equalize as the game progressed, but the solid Ateneo backline coupled with another outstanding performance by Arcilla kept the score line intact as the final whistle sounded. Blue Eagles Coach JayPee Merida had some high praise for his first-year goalie.
“AJ [Arcilla] is one of the best keepers in the UAAP. Tinitignan ko siya na parang hindi siya rookie,” (He does not play like a rookie) said Merida. “Hindi siya na-prepressure. Hindi siya na-rarattle everytime may mga shots sa kanya outside the box, even inside the 18-yard box.” (He does not get pressured. He does not get rattled every time he faces shots outside, and even inside, the 18-yard box)
Ateneo is set to face the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in the upcoming finals match after their win over defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the other semi-final match. The final match of the season will be on Sunday, May 7, 3PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Poe, Rocha, Grierson; Mathay, Ceniza, Roxas, Herrera, Jarvis; Liay (c), Gayoso
UST: Abraham (GK), Benecio, Busmion Da., Busmion Di., De Castro, Dimacali, Feril, Gumban Molino, Regala (c), Tuzon
Substitutions
Ateneo: 68’ Lim on for Ceniza, 68’ Haosen on for Herrera, 76’ Castillo on for Mathay, 90’ Nacional on for Jarvis, 90’ Baña on for Roxas
The Ateneo Men’s Football team closed in on their second consecutive UAAP finals appearance in their 2-1 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers
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