THE ATENEO Blue Eagles outlasted the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 1-0, in a physical affair on Thursday, March 8, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
The Blue Eagles improve to a 6-0-2 win-draw-loss record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), edging the University of the Philippines (UP) for first place, though the Fighting Maroons have a game in hand. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, drop to a 3-1-4 slate.
From the get-go, NU established an immense physical impression in the run of play. The Bulldogs appeared driven to avenge their defeat in the first round and managed to win most of the 50-50 challenges, which only fueled them forward even more. The Blue Eagles shifted into a five-man defensive line, which effectively conceded possession and invited the Bulldogs to test their attacking prowess even more.
Jekar Sullano and Patrick Valenzuela were particularly threatening, bombing up the pitch to stretch the Ateneo backline, but they were wisely isolated into crowded areas to keep the danger at bay. Undeterred, NU kept the pressure on and nearly pulled ahead in the 30th minute. A positional lapse in the Ateneo midfield allowed Jacob Gomez to break forward and unleash a low shot, but keeper AJ Arcilla pulled off a brilliant save to keep the match scoreless.
As the half-wore on, Ateneo managed to respond to NU’s challenge with a sharp counter-attacking threat. Enzo Ceniza was instrumental in relieving pressure and driving the team forward, and his play allowed Jayrah Rocha a chance to put Ateneo a goal up. Rocha’s 35th minute volley off a corner kick scramble nearly broke the deadlock, but Chris Perocho produced a tremendous save to keep the game in the balance.
35’ – Rocha nearly shatters the impasse but Perocho pulls off an incredible save to deny the opener!
Ateneo 0 NU 0 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/L46hPbrkD4
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) March 8, 2018
Six minutes later, Ceniza broke forward again, but his shot from the edge of the box beat both Perocho and the post, signalling the end of a fiercely-fought, fruitless first half.
41’ – Ceniza goes for the bottom corner but his right-footed rocket drifts wide!
Ateneo 0 NU 0 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/VZG2zGrAkE
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) March 8, 2018
NU kicked off the second half with the same energy and powerful running, but the Blue Eagles’ mettle matched them blow-for-blow. Just after the hour mark, substitute Rupert Baña took off on a lung-busting run and swept a pinpoint cross into Nino Herrera’s path, but the midfielder could not find the finishing touch to convert.
61’ – Great chance for Ateneo! Baña fires an inch-perfect cross to Herrera, but the midfielder mishandles the ball in front of goal!
Ateneo 0 NU 0 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/uGx8kgCd7m
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) March 8, 2018
From that point, the match opened up into an all-out offensive joust on both ends. NU crafted a glorious chance on a 74th minute counter-attack, but more heroics from Arcilla stood between an elusive opening goal.
74’ – Arcilla comes to the rescue once again! The Bulldogs break down the Blue Eagles defense on the counter, but Arcilla denies the opener with a remarkable save!
Ateneo 0 NU 0 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/IMA6UMKQc7
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) March 8, 2018
Minutes later, league-leading scorer Jarvey Gayoso finally shattered the tie with a fantastic volley that caught Perocho in no-man’s-land and nestled into the net. The goal marked his eighth of the season and more importantly preserved the Blue Eagles pristine four-match winning streak.
78’ – GOAL! Gayoso lifts Ateneo into the lead with his 8th goal of the season, catching Perocho off-guard with a superb lob from wide left! 🎯
Ateneo 1 NU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/e0pZFcRZOr
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) March 8, 2018
“Unbelievable performance from NU,” Coach Jaypee Merida said after the match. “They played well. Binigyan talaga kami ng problema especially sa first half. Hindi nila inallow our midfield to hold the ball (They gave us problems especially in the first half. They didn’t allow our midfield to get a hold of the ball).”
The Blue Eagles will try to push their streak further in their grudge match against resurgent rivals, De La Salle University (DLSU), on Sunday, March 11, 1:30 PM, at the FEU-FERN Football Field, Quezon City.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Nacional, Grierson, Rocha, G. Poe, Mathay; Herrera, Ceniza, Roxas; Gayoso, Alilam
NU: Perocho (GK); Mantal, Lawagan, Dagsa, Alivo, Gomez; Capellan, Padernal, Sullano; Valenzuela (c), Viray
Substitutions:
45’ – Haosen on for Alilam
57’ – Baña on for Nacional
76’ – Gaudiel on for Herrera
85’ – Lim on for Ceniza
Yellow Card:
90’ + 2 – Mathay
