IN A showdown that touched the hearts of many, the Ateneo Blue Eagles gave it their all in the Finals match against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 1-1, but ultimately succumbed to their rivals via a penalty shootout, 3-4. The historic bout took place earlier tonight at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the City of Manila.
Among the players of Coach Merida’s selection, Co-Captain Artuz Cezar was honored as Best Goalkeeper, Jet Dela Cruz was awarded Best Defender, Dov Cariño was bestowed with the Golden Boot and deemed as Best Midfielder, and Captain Leo Maquiling was commended Best Striker. At the same time, the entire team was granted the Fair Play Award.
With tensions running high, the most anticipated match of the season kicked off with relentless back-and-forth play, as both teams showcased exceptional defense.
The Blue Eagles’ offense was spearheaded by Maquiling and Galen Fernandez, who attempted two early connections in the 8th and 12th minutes, but both were thwarted by FEU’s steadfast backline. At the other end, Ateneo’s veteran keeper Cezar stepped up with a crucial save, catching an FEU attempt near the box in the 12th minute.
Returning to action after a two-game suspension, Jethro Flores, came close to converting in the 14th minute but fell short. Reshifting tactics, Flores turned his focus to defense, delivering a crucial stop against FEU’s Khent Valenzuela in the 17th minute. Valenzuela launched another attack moments later, but the Ateneo veteran once again rose to the challenge to shut the Tamaraw down.
The match’s intensity grew as a sudden rainshower tested both teams’ defensive resilience. Nonetheless, Cezar remained a reliable anchor for Ateneo, collecting a flying ball in the 22nd minute and a driven shot in the 25th.
The physicality between the teams likewise escalated as the game progressed, culminating in a yellow card for Maquiling in the 29th minute and granting FEU a free kick. Undaunted, Cezar neutralized the threat with a commanding leap and catch, redirecting the ball to the Blue and White’s safety.
As the opening half drew to a close, both units displayed unwavering resolve on the defensive third, holding the first half nil-nil.
Ten minutes after Cezar’s set-piece deflection, a lofted ball from FEU landed inside goal-scoring territory. Nonetheless, the keeper charged the ball away from the Morayta-based rivals, staving off the rivals’ offensive ruses.
In extra-time, Ateneo pounced back with Flores’ chipped pass that met the menacing footwork of Fernandez. The brazen maestro, however, struggled to find his volleyed shot in the back of the Green and Gold net.
The Blue Eagles strafed down the pitch in the second half in hopes of turning the tides to their advantage. While FEU sought to attack the offensive zone in the 48th minute, Ateneo proved quick in shutting down the Tamaraws’ offensive ruses.
Cariño rallied back with a shuffle down the post in the 49th minute but was denied by the woodwork of the FEU defense. As both teams struggled to break free from the deadlock, Cariño picked up the pace with another opening in the 59th minute. However, FEU’s Ace Amita was set on keeping the ball in Green and Gold possession.
The Morayta-based squad remained firm in the defensive belt by shutting down a Fernandez through ball in the 63rd minute. As Ateneo fought to strike a crevice in FEU’s fort, a 66th-minute goal from Theo Libarnes left a dent in the Blue Eagles’ momentum.
Looking to beat the clock, Maquiling stepped up with a corner kick in the 69th minute but was quickly collected by FEU keeper Montaño Diansuy. Banking on a second chance opportunity outside the penalty area, Maquiling struck a long-range shot in the 71st minute to even up the scores, 1-1.
After unlocking the Tamaraw defense, Ateneo confronted a wave of menacing plays from the Green and Gold offense. Down to the last few minutes, goalkeeper Cezar made crucial inside-the-box plays to save Ateneo from disaster in the 83rd and 86th minute.
Hoping to retaliate on their own terms, Maquiling dribbled his way onto the wing, bringing the barbaric FEU to cause a set-piece play. The Atenean skipper whipped in a blitzing ball in the final minute, which was closed down by Tamaraw keeper Diansuy, sending the game into extra-time.
As both camps took turns taking possession, both sides withstood the eleventh hour to close off extra time nil-nil.
Looking for a final shot at redemption in a penalty shootout, the Blue Eagles delivered composed penalties past the hands of FEU’s Diansuy, sending the shoot-out scoring in their favor, 3-2. However, with subsequent misplaced deliveries from the Atenean side, the top-seed succumbed to a heartbreaking 3-4 defeat in penalties to conclude their Season 87 campaign.
As skipper Maquiling wrapped up his final match donning the Blue and White, he shared a message for the future leaders of the team.
“I just hope that in every game, they give their all to represent and enjoy every moment […] [and that] the next players will take every chance,” the team captain expressed.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (1 [3]): Maquiling (C), Cezar (GK), Flores, Salud, Dela Cruz, Cariño, Collo, Bengson, Lim, Fernandez, Arias
FEU (1 [4]): Diansuy (GK), Arriola, Pescadera, Mustapa, Mamon, Estores, Valenzuela, Amita, Buenafe, Aban, Libarnes
