IN A battle of brawn, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team lost their stride against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters, 0-1, absorbing their second loss in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tournament. The Blue Eagles’ second loss of Season 87 took place earlier this evening at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
With their loss against the barbarian second seed, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team (AMFT) pummeled their record to an 8-0-2 standing. Nonetheless, Coach JP Merida’s selection remains the first team to book a postseason slot after their phenomenal first-round run.
At the outset of tonight’s theatrics, the Blue Eagles defied numerous scares from an amped-up FEU side, whose attacking third was steady on the offensive.
In the first five minutes, Atenean co-captain Artuz Cezar opened the game with his veteran expertise, collecting FEU’s resounding long shot nearing the halfway line. Subsequently, the goalkeeper made another crucial stop by disrupting an inside-the-box finish from the right-hand side.
Following suit with his defensive brethren, Jet Dela Cruz tidied up potential threats in the offensive wings, committing robust tackles down the stretch. The lion-hearted fullback showed prowess in the tenth minute as he disrupted a driving play from the left flank, keeping the goal-hungry opposition without a goal in their favor.
However, in the 41st minute, the Atenean unit finally struggled to counter the Morayta-based squad’s offensive ruses, with a counterattack sequence that bested the Blue and White defense.
Following Ateneo’s precarious man-marking in the penalty box, FEU’s Ace Ermita delivered a lofted shot above Ateneo’s goalie Cezar, sending the Blue Eagles down to a 0-1 deficit.
As the second half commenced, the Blue Eagles rejuvenated from the break, albeit with defensive measures still at the forefront of action.
Despite an attempt in the 55th minute by standout rookie Joaquin Collo, following a rocketing cross that nearly made its way to an open Blue Eagle attack, the top-seeded squad was back on defense.
Ten minutes after the near equalizer, FEU executed another counterattack sequence that was luckily swooped away by Cezar.
Doubling down on his spirited performance, the stellar keeper split up another near goal-line attempt in the 79th attempt from the Tamaraw Booters with a herculean gather inches away from goal.
In the closing minutes, the Atenean unit struggled to find their rhyme against Morayta-based goalie Moñtana Diansuy, which concluded the battle in the second-seed team’s favor, 0-1.
The Blue Eagles hope to bounce back from tonight’s loss as they go up against the University of the East Red Warriors, on Thursday, November 28, at 4:00 PM in the same venue.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (0): Cezar (GK), Maquiling (C), Flores, Salud, Dela Cruz, Cariño, M. Roxas, F. Roxas, Lacson, Collo, Bengson
FEU (1): Diansuy (GK), Baylon (C), Bulawin, Arriola, Pescadera, Mustapa, Mamon, Absalon, Valenzuela, Amita, Aban
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 24 (+21)
- FEU Tamaraws – 20 (+17)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 19 (+10)
- UST Golden Booters – 14 (0)
- DLSU Green Booters – 10 (-7)
- UE Red Warriors – 8 (-15)
- AdU Soaring Falcons – 3 (-26)
