PLACING THEMSELVES back on the win column, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team outplayed the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters, 4-0. The second-round rivalry matchup of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Men’s Football tournament took place earlier today at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Blue and White bolstered their record to 24 points with a +21 goal difference, becoming the first team to secure their Final Four spot.
After another impressive outing, rookie Joaquin Collo was awarded Man of the Match honors with a tally of one assist and goal.
The Katipunan-based squad set the pace early into the game, ruling over La Salle’s defensive third. Spearheaded by skipper Leo Maquiling, the Blue Eagles executed meticulous passes to keep the ball in their possession. The Green Booters obtained two corners in the 5th minute, but Jethro Flores, Jet Dela Cruz, and Marco Salud provided exceptional security within the Atenean box.
In the 14th minute, DLSU was granted a free-kick opportunity from a foul, but Alonso Aguilar’s direct shot to the box was easily parried away by goalkeeper Artuz Cezar. The Blue and White’s search for an opening goal bore fruit 16 minutes later when star striker Dov Cariño found Joaquin Collo in the left flank, with the rookie tapping it into the Lasallian goal with precision, 1-0.
Midway through the opening half, the two rivals battled for possession of the ball with neither squad scoring a point. Toward the last 10 minutes, the Blue Eagles had a series of corner-kick opportunities, but DLSU astutely defended each attempt. After La Salle keeper Enrico Mangaoaong’s solid block against Cariño’s shot in the 35th minute, Maquiling wasted no time in setting up a cross to Cariño as the striker successfully scored the second time around, 2-0.
The leading scorer of the league continued his offensive prowess by blitzing down the pitch in the 44th minute, but was stopped by DLSU defenders at the last second. Still determined two minutes later, Cariño took the chance to score a banger to cap off the first half in daring fashion, 3-0.
Attacking momentum remained with the Blue and White in the following frame. The Green Booters boasted their efficient backline to deny Javier Bengson’s direct shot in the 55th minute, while Flores quickly spearheaded a counterattack. With their fourth goal in sight, a chip to Flores moments later was impressively stopped by La Salle’s Frank Labayen in an acrobatic save before the goalpost.
With the Taft-based squad playing with more aggression, Salud and Oswald Santillices served as Ateneo’s defensive wall in the box. In the 83rd minute, DLSU’s Adrian Bacolod took a shot from beyond the box, but was rejected by another timely save by Cezar.
Keeping their rivals at bay, the Blue Eagles efficiently defended each attempt during set-pieces. Unrelenting until the final minutes of the match, Collo delivered a cross to Andy Roxas to seal the victory, 4-0.
The Blue and White will look to continue their perfect form against the FEU Tamaraws, on Thursday, November 21, at 7:00 PM in the same venue.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (4): Cezar (GK), Flores, Dela Cruz, Cariño, M. Roxas, Maquiling (C), Salud, Collo, Bengson, Fernandez, Arias
DLSU (0): Mangaoang (C-GK), Castrillo, Abela, Cruel, Go, Henares, Dela Cruz, Suarez, Andan, Aguilar, Labayen
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 24 (+21)
- FEU Tamaraws – 17 (+17)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 16 (+9)
- UST Golden Booters – 13 (0)
- DLSU Green Booters – 10 (-7)
- UE Red Warriors – 7 (-15)
- AdU Soaring Falcons – 3 (-25)
