TWO GOALS at either end of the match secured a 2-0 victory for the Blue Eagles over the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Sunday, March 18, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Three points boosts Ateneo to an 8-1-2 win-draw-loss record in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football Tournament and keeps them on pace with league-leaders University of the Philippines (UP). On the other hand, UST is dealt their third defeat of the season and drops to 4-3-3 at fourth behind De La Salle University (DLSU).
The tournament’s leading scorer, Jarvey Gayoso, continued his explosive run of form after netting four against Adamson University (AdU). His early strike today opened the match’s scoring and allowed Ateneo a buffer throughout the match. Koko Gaudiel’s late finish put the result beyond doubt, sealing the Blue Eagles’ sixth win in their last seven played.
The match kicked off with back-and-forth attacking action from both sides. UST threatened an Ateneo backline missing Jayrah Rocha through stellar forward play from Jayson Rafol and AJ Pasion, but it was Jarvey Gayoso who drew first blood with another incredible goal.
In the 13th minute, Veteran striker Paolo Alilam picked out a streaking Gayoso on the left with a pinpoint pass. Gayoso then proceeded to run down the wing, and roofed in a goal by the near post, undeterred by the trio of defenders closing in on him.
[1st Half] 12’ – GOAL! A ruthless Blue Eagle counter-attack opens the scoring. Alilam picks out Gayoso on the break, who smashes the roof of the net!#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/rW3MUOMTyp
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) March 18, 2018
The pace picked up in the second half. A pair of well-worked UST chances menaced early on, but the Growling Tigers lacked the accuracy to truly test Ateneo keeper AJ Arcilla. In the 69th minute, Carlitos Mathay was taken down inside the box by a risky tackle, but the match official deemed it clean.
69’ – Herrera spreads play down the left on the counter. Mathay drives into the box and is taken out but no penalty is given!
Ateneo 1 UST 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/UpZWsY8gFS
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) March 18, 2018
Koko Gaudiel provided the insurance goal in the 86th minute, displaying attacking instinct with a pouncing on Mathay’s stellar cross to seal the victory.
86’ – GOAL! Gaudiel pounces on Mathay’s stellar cross to double the lead!
Ateneo 2 UST 0 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/jzCfjXhKeZ
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) March 18, 2018
“Ang target natin today was to bounce back after losing to UST [in the first round], and now we proved na kaya talaga namin sila (Our target today was to bounce back after losing to UST and we proved that we can handle them.,” said Head Coach Jaypee Merida after their clash. “I’m very happy with the result and that we have a lot of rest over the next weeks.”
The Blue Eagles will be back in action on April 5, Thursday, against the University of the East (UE). The match is scheduled for a 3:00PM kickoff at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Nacional, G. Poe, Grierson, Dy, Mathay; Ceniza, Herrera, Roxas (c); Gayoso, Alilam
UST: Abraham (GK); Benecio, Di. Busmion, De Castro, Fuchigami, Molino; Bricenio, Da. Busmion, Gumban; Pasion, Rafol
Substitutions:
54’ – Haosen on for Alilam
67’ – Gaudiel on for Ceniza
77’ – Baña on for Nacional
87’ – Laud on for Herrera
88’ – Lim on for Gayoso
