STEVEN ANOTADO’S 77th minute goal proved to be the winner as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers dispatched the Blue Eagles, 1-0, on Sunday, February 18, at the Rizal Memorial Football Field in Manila.
The loss brings Ateneo to a 2-0-2 record in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football tournament.
The match’s early exchanges were an omen for what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for the Blue Eagles. From the get-go, UST was content to concede possession and sit back in their own half. Forced to channel play out wide, wing-backs Rupert Bana and Carlitos Mathay were the focus of Ateneo’s attacking efforts. However, the crosses the duo sent into the box were ineffective, as strike-partners Jarvey Gayoso and Jimi Haosen were often isolated in the box.
In spite of their difficulties from open play, the Blue Eagles still managed to threaten from set-pieces. Gayoso’s 14th minute corner-kick was met by Julian Roxas, but the captain’s header was deflected and looped inches over the bar. Another chance came in the 29th minute, when Gayoso’s long-range free-kick was nearly spilled into the net by UST keeper Zaldy Abraham.
With Ateneo committing forward in search of a goal to break the deadlock, the Growling Tigers found an opportunity to snatch the lead going into the break. In the 28th minute, UST launched a quick counter-attack that played Renz Gumban in on goal. Luckily for the Blue Eagles, the winger’s chip over keeper AJ Arcilla bounced off the right post and was cleared to safety.
The second half started off at a similar pace, except for a heroic reaction save from Arcilla in the 49th minute. UST’s Anotado broke away from William Grierson and found himself alone in the box, but Arcilla came rushing out to deny the striker’s effort. Anotado would not be denied again in the 77th minute after pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the Ateneo box and firing a shot low into the corner of the net to break the deadlock.
Jolted by conceding a goal, the Blue Eagles increased their attacking intensity in an attempt to level the scoreline. However, instead of sitting back and holding on to the lead, the Growling Tigers responded by keeping the pressure on Ateneo’s backline. Unfortunately for the Blue and White, most of their attacking moves in the final third broke down because of sloppy passing and loose touches, effectively killing their forward momentum.
A lifeline was thrown out two minutes into added time for the Blue Eagles to steal a draw at the death. Abraham’s clumsy efforts to punch the ball out from a hopeful Ateneo cross fell at Gayoso’s feet just outside the box, but the striker skied his volley in what turned out to be the last bit of action.
After the match, Head Coach Jaypee Merida lamented on the team’s inability to complete chances. “Ang kulang na lang pagdating sa attacking third,” he explained. “Ang ganda ng buildup from defensive third to attacking third. ‘Yung concern kasi ay kung paano tatapusin (We lacked sharpness in the final third. Our buildup play from the defensive third to the attacking third was great. Our concern was in finishing chances).”
The Blue Eagles will try to bounce back against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors on Sunday, February 25, 9:00 AM, at the Rizal Memorial Football Field in Manila.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Mathay, Grierson, Rocha, Dy, Baña ; Herrera, Ceniza, Roxas (c); Haosen, Gayoso
UST: Abraham (GK); Benecio, Busmion Di., Fuchigami, Molino; Alianza, De Castro, Busmion Da., Gumban; Pasion, Bricenio
Substitutions:
62’ – Lim on for Haosen
69’ – Castillo on for Baña
81’ – Nacional on for Mathay
81’ – Alilam on for Ceniza
85’ – Gaudiel on for Herrera
88’ – Laud on for Grierson
