ANOTHER CONVINCING performance made it three wins on the bounce for the Ateneo Men’s Football Team, after they dismantled the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 4-0, in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football Tournament today, March 17, at the Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman football field.
Rupert Baña stole the show for Ateneo, bagging two goals and stamping his authority on the match with a rampant display on the flank. Mark Nacional also got himself on the scoresheet early in the match, while substitute Martin Ordoñez put the final nail in the coffin with a late long-range strike.
The Blue Eagles flew off the blocks from the opening whistle, making use of an efficient passing game and strong running on the wings to stretch the Bulldogs’ defense before it could settle. Baña broke the deadlock just five minutes into the match with a close range strike, while Nacional hunted down a defensive error shortly after his teammate’s opener to blitz NU for an early 2-0 advantage.
Ateneo kept the pressure on throughout the half by keeping the ball well and keeping most of the action in the opposing half. Baña and Nacional continued to stand out as attacking outlets, nearly connecting for Ateneo’s third in the 44th minute if not for the latter’s scrambling shot.
44' – Baña whips in a dangerous cross to Nacional at the far post. The winger, however, can't find the right connection.
Ateneo 2 NU 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/U6XgSI6R82
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2019
Ten minutes after the restart, Baña threatened once again down the right flank but blasted over Christian Betanio’s goal. The veteran forward wouldn’t be denied his brace in the 58th minute, netting from a tight angle to put the game out of sight.
54' – Chance. Baña almost gives the Blue and White their third goal of the day, but the forward fires over the bar.
Ateneo 2 NU 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/GU4T7xNkAN
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 17, 2019
With a comfortable lead in hand, Head Coach Jaypee Merida reshuffled his side with the introductions of rookies Luca Alleje, Jabez Setters, and Jojo Fuentes while Ordoñez took his place in the middle of the park. Ordoñez went on to mark his appearance with his first goal of the season after rifling home from long-range in the 81st minute.
The afternoon’s victory solidified the Blue Eagle’s return to form after a slow start to their campaign as Ateneo climbs up to 2nd place in the standings with a 3-1-2 record—five points behind FEU and in a three-way deadlock with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers. Meanwhile, NU dropped into seventh place with a 1-2-4 slate.
The Blue Eagles hit their stride just in time for their grudge match De La Salle University (DLSU) in the final match of the first round. The old rivals will clash on Thursday, March 21, at 3:00 PM in the FEU-Diliman football pitch.
Ateneo Starting XI: Arcilla (GK); Poe, Liao, Rocha, Maniquis; Baña, Herrera, Roxas (c), Mercado, Nacional; Gayoso
NU Starting XI: Betanio (GK); Alangilan, Alivio, Broce, Dahan, Deloso, Lawagan (c), Ouano, Paring, Perong, Sullano
Substitutions:
59’ – Ordoñez on for Herrera
64’ – Alleje on for Nacional
71’ – Setters on for Roxas
80’ – Fuentes on for Baña
84’ – Kenn James on for Arcilla
87’ – Rian Dy on for Mercado
