After closing out the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 elimination round as the number one seed, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team (AMFT) has emerged as a frontrunner to win it all this season. This Final Four preview will discuss the campaign of the Blue Eagles as they forge a postseason path determined to capture supremacy.
THE ATENEO Blue Eagles return to a familiar place after finishing the elimination round with 28 points to clinch the first seed, earning the chance to face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Booters in the knockout semifinals. Even though the Katipunan-based squad incurred their first losses of the season in the second round, their composure at the backend of the eliminations proved pivotal in keeping their hold of the top spot.
With the tournament’s top two leading goalscorers and a commanding +21 goal differential throughout the group stage, the Blue Eagles are primed to take the UAAP Final Four by storm. Returning to the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the first time since their heartbreaking Season 86 semifinal defeat back in May, Ateneo will have a rare chance at redemption in the same year, with the hopes of booking their first Finals berth since Season 85, and ultimately, seizing their first title since Season 81.
Frontline finesse
Caleb: Much of the Blue Eagles’ elimination round success can be attributed to a common thread—stuffing the scoring column. Dov Cariño and Leo Maquiling’s masterful frontline endeavors have propelled the Katipunan-based side to a league-best 33 goals scored at the end of the preliminaries.
Emerging as the Golden Boot favorite, Cariño’s nine-goal and 11-assist tally has been testament to the 20-year-old’s ability to pick apart defenses and deliver in key moments. Meanwhile, Maquiling’s steady playmaking deep in the attacking third have catapulted him to a haul of seven goals and three assists this season.
Coming on as substitutes against UST last week, the duo did not waste any time imposing their offensive mark on the pitch. Just 25 minutes into the second half, Cariño and Maquiling found the back of the net thrice after a brilliant display of athleticism and positional acumen. The comeback effort saw both standouts dazzling through the UST backline before scoring off their resounding efforts.
What stands out from last week’s fixture is Cariño and Maquiling’s ability to individually break down defenses, leaving opposing forts exposed. Single coverages proved futile in halting the Atenean dyad as they seamlessly breezed through UST defenders in one-on-one situations. With that much space, the recent national team call-ups decisively controlled the terrain and generated openings for surrounding teammates.
Entering the Final Four match-up, neutralizing Cariño and Maquiling will undoubtedly be of paramount concern to UST’s formational approach. I can foresee the Golden Booters loading up the back to closely man-mark the Atenean pair’s upfront charge or opting for a high press to negate the forwards’ involvement in the build-up plays.
Regardless of the Golden Booters’ tactical schemes, the Blue Eagles have a plethora of options to counter any gambits. Clamping down on Cariño and Maquiling would only allow midfielders Joaquin Collo, Galen Fernandez, and Matti Roxas to flourish and operate at will. High-press maneuvers should also not be of concern, as defenders Fonzy Escobin and Jethro Flores have shown unwavering composure amid pouncing forwards.
While Cariño and Maquiling have been instrumental in the Blue and White’s stellar elimination round showing, the team thrives on each of their collective brilliance. The Katipunan-based side boasts rotational versatility that could overwhelm any fully conditioned schemes. Directing specific coverages would only unlock other Blue Eagles’ dynamic and well-rounded play.
Unsung heroes
Caitlin: Between Cariño and Maquiling’s magic in the attacking third and Artuz Cezar’s valor in the box, there lies the unsung heroes of AMFT who have provided defensive strength all season long.
Defender Oswald Santilices has proven to be one of Ateneo’s key anchors in the backline. In the second round meeting with the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, the sophomore was substituted in and showcased his athleticism and toughness in protecting the box.
Incredibly agile and capable of man-marking the eager strikers of FEU, Santilices performed a crucial slide tackle in the 78th minute to put a stop to an attempted assist by the Tamaraws. The young defender continued to demonstrate his instinctual ability to anticipate attackers, with more crucial stops inside the box.
Never haphazard in handling rogue passes, Santilices is precise in his clearances and tackles which will continue to be an asset as the Blue Eagles go head-to-head with the best attacking teams of the league.
Further down the pitch is veteran Flores who has been the embodiment of tenacity and endurance on the pitch. A regular starting player for the AMFT, Flores hustles to provide both stability in the defense and golden chances during attacking sequences. In what was one of his best games of the season, Flores was a dominant presence against the Fighting Maroons in the second round.
The veteran defender was vigilant for any defensive lapses committed by their Katipunan rivals and would quickly intervene to regain possession for Loyola Heights. Given his technical skill and prowess, Flores is often tasked to overlap into the midfield or attacking third to make runs and support the build-up play. Unafraid to show physicality, Flores has consistently increased the intensity of a match to overwhelm and stifle opponents to the advantage of the AMFT offense this season.
Clearly integral to squads tactical setup, both these players have immensely contributed to Ateneo’s season of victories, but they have also been the light in the losses. With the likes of defender Marco Salud and veteran Jet Dela Cruz, the Blue Eagles have bolstered rock-solid defense to contribute to their stellar season. With the return of Season 85 Best Defender Escobin to the pitch, the AMFT backline will be the most formidable it’s been as they head into the Final Four with eyes on the top prize.
Redemption ready
Luis: The stage is set for a familiar postseason battle, a semifinal bout last seen just over a year ago back in Season 85. With the Blue and White ready to embark on another quest for redemption at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the AMFT will look to bank on the experience of their tenured veterans.
Avid followers of the squad should anticipate playoff riser Fernandez, who remains a dominant anchor for the Blue Eagles under the brightest of lights. The midfielder is the only remaining member of the AMFT to have scored in every postseason match in the last two seasons, with his services to be of valuable use against the Golden Booters. As such, the Blue Eagles can look to Fernandez as a reliable option on the offensive end, having already scored on more than one occasion during the eliminations.
However, the midfielder will not be alone in this task as his fellow seniors have proven their ability to remain composed under pressure, especially with years of experience under their belts. Still among the league’s best goalkeepers, seasoned veteran Cezar will be crucial in Ateneo’s efforts to return to the promised land.
With more than just the Golden Glove within arms reach, the ever-reliable keeper hopes to continue his stellar Season 87 run with more timely saves that will give those who dare to enter the Atenean box a run for their money. Even in Ateneo’s rocky second round, Cezar has shown his dedication to making the extra effort and going outside the box to thwart opposing attackers.
Moreover, key veterans Andy Roxas, Matti Roxas, and Co-Captain Dela Cruz will be keen on manning the fort as the Blue Eagles eye on asserting their mastery over their España-based counterparts. Dela Cruz specifically has showcased his ability as a two-way player, smothering the opposition on defense while managing to create chances and score as well.
Along with Team Captain Maquiling, the Blue and White’s seniors will not only be geared up to replicate their elimination round success over UST, but also assert their bid to bring the crown back to Loyola Heights.
Having covered the AMFT over the past three years, I am certain that the squad will channel their perfect streak from the start of the season to finish stronger than ever. If their second half surge against the Golden Booters last Sunday gives any indication of Ateneo peaking at the right time, then the Blue Eagles should have no problem in staving off the España-based side.
The parallels of Season 85 and 87 are clear, with both teams finishing as the top seed and facing UST in the semis. However, this AMFT batch hopes to rewrite history and end it all with a ring.
Whether or not this might be the final playing year for some of the Blue Eagles, one thing is certain: their seniors have been here before, are more experienced than ever, and are determined to book a trip back to the Finals. With this in mind, expect the vets to ensure that this evening’s game will not be their last dance for the Blue and White.
Tonight’s game:
Sunday, December 8, 7:00 PM, vs. UST Golden Booters at the Rizal Memorial Stadium
Final Four Bracket:
- ATENEO Blue Eagles vs. 4. UST Golden Booters
- UP Fighting Maroons vs 3. FEU Tamaraws
