FLYING HIGH after a statement win over rivals the De La Salle University Green Archers, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team continued their impressive run of form, beating the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 2-0, on April 7, at the Far Eastern University-Diliman football field. This marks their fourth win in a row and an unblemished start to the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament.

A sensational long-range strike from defender Andoni Maniquis quickly followed by a smart finish from Mark Nacional saw Ateneo take a commanding first-half lead that never seemed to falter the rest of the way.

On the other end, a clean sheet for the Blue Eagle defense and goalkeeper AJ Arcilla bumped Ateneo’s league-leading goal difference to a whopping +23. Today’s victory cements the Blue Eagles’ spot at the top with 22 points and a 7-1-3 record, while NU is shackled to sixth place with their sixth loss of the season.

Coach Jaypee Merida’s eleven came flying off the blocks from the first whistle. Nacional and Jarvey Gayoso troubled a flustered NU backline with their pace and stretching runs out wide. The latter nearly got Ateneo off the mark as early as the 3-minute mark, after Maniquis played him through on goal.

The Blue Eagles’ early dominance was clearly seen in the run of play, but a special goal from Maniquis on the 13-minute mark made sure it showed on the scoreboard too. The left-back picked up the ball just outside the center circle off a defensive recovery, took a couple touches forward, and hammered a searing drive into the top corner.

Energized by the goal, Ateneo pressed forward again for their second of the match. Nino Herrera expertly chipped an angled lob over the Bulldogs’ defense to meet Nacional’s run. The winger caressed the ball with his chest before composing himself to nudge the ball beyond Christian Betanio’s reach.

The Blue Eagles looked comfortable in possession for majority of the half and seemed to kick into a higher gear whenever an attacking chance was there to be taken. In the 41st minute, Herrera drove to the by-line off a clever slide pass from Gayoso and clipped a short cross into the center. Team Captain Julian Roxas found himself in a great position to volley goalward but sent his shot inches over the crossbar.

The second half, however, immediately began with NU nearly stealing a goal back. Fortunately for Ateneo, Arcilla was on high alert as he denied a curling effort that seemed destined for a goal.

The early scare seemed to wake Ateneo up as they grew back into controlling the pace of play and kept it for the remainder of the match. An incisive counter-attack in the 60th would have earned a brilliant third, but in-form forward Rupert Baña planted his low shot just wide of the second post.

The Bulldogs almost came away with a consolation in the final moments of the match after Jacob Liao’s last-ditch clearance was deflected into the Ateneo goal, but the referee waved it off for offside.

Ateneo will be back in action at 9AM on Sunday, April 14, at the FEU-Diliman football field for a showdown with defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Ateneo Starting XI: Arcilla (GK); Poe, Liao, Rocha, Maniquis; Baña, Herrera, Roxas (c),  Mercado, Nacional; Gayoso

NU Starting XI: Betanio (GK); Piao, Lawagan (c), Alivio, Dahan; Deloso, Alangilan, Broce, Park; Perong, Unabia

Substitutions:

65’ – Joaquin Roque on for Maniquis

67’ – Jabez Setters on for Baña

75’ – Luca Alleje on for Roxas

81’ – Rian Dy on for Nacional

88’ – Martin Ordoñez on for Herrera