THE ATENEO Blue Eagles suffered a 3-6 defeat against Tuloy F.C. in the semifinals of the Ang Liga Filipina Invitational. The match was held earlier today, August 10, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field.
Determined to gain attacking momentum, Tuloy F.C pursued an early offensive barrage as Loraine Evangelista fired consecutive shots on target in the first two minutes of the game. Soleil Schroth then answered Tuloy’s rally with a shot attempt off of Jada Bicierro’s pass, but was met by a solid block from the Tuloy goalkeeper.
Ball possession was exchanged between both teams for the next five minutes, but Tuloy’s Evangelista found an opening and successfully scored from the right wing, giving Tuloy F.C. their first lead of the game.
In the next possession, Bicierro swerved her way through Tuloy’s defenders, but her shot was denied by the goalkeeper. Soon after, Tuloy F.C. controlled the tempo of the game until the first cooling break.
As action resumed on the pitch, Tuloy F.C. maintained their aggression, with Evangelista leading the charge for the Alabang-based squad. Tuloy’s continued press materialized into another point as Isabella Bandoja found the back of the net off of Evangelista’s assist, putting Ateneo in a two-point disadvantage, 0-2.
Hoping to turn the tides, new recruit Sophia Lyttle stepped on the gas to set up a goal, but the Blue Eagles were unable to convert. Tuloy F.C. powered through Ateneo’s defense once more as Evangelista set up Lanie Ortillo for their third goal of the game, leading up to the second cooling break.
With their backs against the wall, Bicierro momentarily stopped the bleeding with an open goal in the 42nd minute after juking Tuloy’s goalkeeper out of her box, 1-3. Gaining momentum, the Blue Eagles continued to pressure Tuloy’s defenders with consecutive shots on target. Team Captain Kassandra Zalamea then booted in a goal at the 45th minute, cutting the lead to one by the end of the first half, 2-3.
Eager to tie the ball game, the Blue Eagles dictated the pace early in the second half, but were quickly met by Tuloy’s smothering defense. Ortillo worked her way around Ateneo’s backline and delivered a through pass to set up Bandoja’s second goal of the match, 2-4. Shien Payag then followed suit with a gutsy shot from way outside the penalty box, 2-5.
Ortillo, adding more salt to the wound, nailed another shot off of a Bandoja assist to put the Blue Eagles into a four-point deficit, 2-6.
In the closing minutes, the Blue Eagles seized possession in a final push for a comeback. Taking advantage of a momentary lapse of defense from Tuloy, Bicierro booted in an open shot, cutting the lead to three and securing her seventh goal of the tournament. However, this last-ditch effort from the stalwart striker proved insufficient by the end of regulation, 3-6.
Aiming to close their Ang Liga Filipina Invitational campaign on a high note, the Blue Eagles will face a battle for third place next Sunday, August 17, at 2:00 PM.
