A SECOND-HALF barrage from the Ateneo Men’s Football team punctuated a convincing 5-0 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football Tournament, on Thursday, March 7, at the Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman football field. Besides earning their first victory amidst a rough start to their campaign, the Blue Eagles exacted revenge for last season’s semi-final defeat.
The talismanic Jarvey Gayoso led the way for a rampant Blue Eagle side, netting his first two goals of the season on either side of half-time. Team Captain Julian Roxas tucked home in the second half to put the game out of reach before Rupert Baña’s volley and Luca Alleje’s first goal for the Blue and White put the finishing touches on a stylish performance.
Ateneo started the match searching for the balance between offensive fluency and defensive security which seemed to be lost in their previous outings this season. The energy of wide players Mark Nacional and Rupert Baña helped assert the Blue Eagles dominance early on in the match. Nacional’s mazy runs earned multiple corners for his side, while Baña slid Gayoso through in 23rd minute, only for the striker to be waved offside.
23' – Baña finds Gayoso through on goal, but the striker is waved offside.
Ateneo 0 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ZL1fOfANK5
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
Just before half-time, UST defender Juan Villanueva clumsily handled Roxas’ knock-down in the box, giving away a golden chance to break the match open. Gayoso stepped up and arrowed his penalty into the top corner to tally Ateneo’s first of the match and his first of the season.
45' – A handball is called on UST's Villanueva– giving the Blue and White a golden chance to take the lead before halftime.
Ateneo 0 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/2uUvqNpSyA
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
45' – GOAL! Gayoso kicks off his tally for the season with a well-hit penalty strike.
Ateneo 1 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gwjOiDQ30D
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
Five minutes after the restart, Gayoso struck again, this time nailing a pinpoint free-kick past the sprawling arms of keeper Zaldy Abraham.
50' – GOAL! Jarvey Gayoso gets his second of the day with an unstoppable free kick!
Ateneo 2 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hCIe078Dw6
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
Ateneo’s Andoni Maniquis was also a bright spot for the Blue Eagles, offering a creative outlet down the left flank. In the 59th minute, he whipped in a low cross around the UST backline which found Roxas perfectly for the Blue and White’s third of the afternoon.
59' – GOAL! Maniquis brilliantly finds Julian Roxas in the box for the Blue and White's third goal of the day!
Ateneo 3 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8vpuaOff81
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
Ten minutes later, Maniquis was at the heart of another goal. After recycling possession well, his clipped long-ball into the box found Nacional, who laid a smart knock-down for Baña to hammer home. Rookie substitute Luca Alleje capped off the offensive onslaught in the 84th minute by pouncing on a UST error and bagging his first goal in his Ateneo career.
69' – Baña slots it home as the Blue and White continue their onslaught!
Ateneo 4 UST 0#UAAPFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3l5MmsLVpe
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) March 7, 2019
'69 – Patient Ateneo buildup finds Rupert Bana open for the volley! 4-0, Ateneo! #UAAPSeason81Football pic.twitter.com/hCRZWYu3Wp
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 7, 2019
Today’s encouraging victory will spur the Blue Eagles on as they prepare to face-off against Adamson University at 3:00PM on Sunday, March 10, at the same venue.
Ateneo Starting XI: Arcilla (GK); Poe, Liao, Rocha, Maniquis; Baña, Herrera, Roxas (c), Mercado, Nacional; Gayoso
UST Starting XI: Abraham (GK); Villanueva, Rivera, Ramos, Pasion, Orale, Mercader, Gumban, Fuchigami, De Castro, Benecio
Substitutions:
45’ – Justin Dy on for Nacional
77’ – Jabez Setters on for Roxas; Josh Young (UAAP Debut) on for Maniquis
81’ – Luca Alleje on for Baña
85’ – Jojo Fuentes (UAAP Debut) on for Nacional
Photo by Paolo Yaptinchay