IN SEARCH of a response to back-to-back 0-3 defeats against National University (NU) and San Beda College-Mendiola (SBC-M), the Ateneo Men’s Football team secured a well-earned 2-1 comeback win against Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in their fourth Ang Liga fixture on Sunday, October 1 at De La Salle Canlubang University in Laguna.
A Jarvey Gayoso brace led the Blue Eagles to their second victory of the tournament to bump the team to sixth place at the expense of LPU who are held in second place on the table. Smart movement and quick decision-making swung the tie, especially on the slippery rain-soaked pitch. Ateneo shook off a slow start in the first half, with LPU containing the game in the middle of the park. Fortunately, key halftime adjustments saw the Blue and White stretch LPU’s defense with efficient pressing and pacey attackers to end the match as the dominant side.
The first half was a cagey affair, especially in the midfield. Both teams seemed to have trouble adjusting to the slippery pitch, which made it tough for either side to string together passes, but easy to step in for tackles. LPU held a slight edge by moving the ball faster and harassing an Ateneo side that sought to dribble out of trouble instead of spreading the pitch with possession. Ged Poe, Jayrah Rocha, and Justin Dy did well to marshal the LPU attack by cutting out dangerous through-balls and clearing to safety.
While open play was a dead end for both sides, set piece routines generated the best chances of the half. In the 18th minute, Jarvey Gayoso’s free kick was punched into a dangerous area, but the LPU defense cleared the ball before any Blue Eagle could pounce. In the 24th minute, Rocha volleyed a Gayoso corner just wide from inside the box, while LPU’s best chance of the half came in the 26th minute, when a free kick was inches away from a header right at the goalmouth. Gayoso and Enzo Ceniza each had chances from rebounds outside the box towards the end of the half, but both fired over.
At halftime, Ateneo Head Coach Jaypee Merida told his players to make smarter decisions with the ball by using their vision and choosing the right times to take on defenders with the dribble. Another key instruction was to press LPU back and force to commit mistakes in the middle of the pitch so that Ateneo could retaliate with their pace. Koko Gaudiel and Carlitos Mathay came on for Jimi Haosen and Mark Nacional to start the 2nd half at the Blue Eagles’ frontline.
Coach Merida’s adjustments seemed to transform the team at the whistle. Gaudiel stood out in midfield, harassing and winning the ball back in key positions. As a result, Mathay and Mike Castillo were given free range to stretch the defense and open up the middle for Rupert Baña and Gayoso to operate. Nino Herrera and Enzo Ceniza moved well with Gaudiel to make sure the midfield was in good position to direct attacks without sacrificing shape. Ateneo spent the early parts of the half camped in the attacking third. Baña nearly scored with a header in the 52nd minute, Gayoso sent a free kick over in the 56th, and Gaudiel nearly connected with a Gayoso cross in the 67th. Crucial blocks and tackles from the LPU defense served as a lifeline that prevented Ateneo from finding the net.
Against the run of play, LPU was awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute after a scramble in the Ateneo box led to Poe fouling an opposition striker. LPU Captain James Paul Dorego tucked the resulting spot kick into the left corner to put the Pirates up 1-0. This goal proved to be a watershed moment in the match as the attacks grew in frequency afterwards. Gayoso responded with a goal almost instantly, after substitute Sam Lim maneuvered to create shooting space for himself, only for his shot to be blocked. Gayoso quickly chipped the rebound into the back of the net to level the match at 1-1 in the 73rd minute.
With momentum on the Blue Eagles’ side, they launched attack after attack on the LPU backline. Off a Castillo cut-back in the 79th minute, Gayoso’s low shot would have been turned in by Gaudiel, who made a late run into the box, but keeper Mellex Andes gathered before he had the chance. Another Castillo foray into the box finally created the breakthrough for Ateneo in the 84th minute. After his chipped cross at the byline was handled by an LPU defender, Gayoso stepped up to hammer home the winning penalty with six minutes left in the match.
The final whistle marked the end of a spirited performance from the Blue Eagles, who managed to take down a team near the top of the table and finally found the end product to their attacking flow.
On the key midfield adjustments, Nino Herrera said, “Our mistake in the first half was that we played team blocking and left their wingbacks open in space. Coach told us to press them back and we were able to get the ball more often and dictate the game with possession.”
Beyond the tactical nous the team displayed, they will surely benefit from seeing the ball rustle the net again after scoring only once before Gayoso’s brace today. “After the first goal, I think we were given more confidence in the way we played – holding the ball and creating attacks,” shared Gayoso. “Coach [Merida] just reminded us that we have to be disciplined to create opportunities for each other, and it was really crucial for us to get our game going again.”
The Blue Eagles will face their Katipunan rivals and defending Ang Liga champion University of the Philippines (UP) in their next match. Judging by today’s performance, the Blue and White are determined to turn their pre-season form around and are slowly hitting their stride.
