THE ATENEO Blue Eagles secured the final podium seat in the 2025 Ang Liga Filipina Invitational with a 2-0 victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. The bronze medal derby was held earlier today in the UP Diliman Football Field, Quezon City.
Both goals of the contest were provided by Ateneo’s Raya Tolentino and Celina Salazar. Alongside the goal scorers, captain KC Zalamea and Jada Bicierro provided assists for the Blue Eagles.
Looking to improve upon their draw against the Fighting Maroons, the Blue Eagles entered the pitch eyeing long balls to create chances downfield. However, the Blue and White’s back four struggled to retain the ball as UP’s forwards showcased tremendous work rate. Both teams went back and forth with no real chances being created until the referee called the first cooling break at the 15-minute mark.
Once play resumed, Blue Eagles Bicierro and Zalamea started pressing the Fighting Maroons’ defensive line, opening up more scoring opportunities. However, the Blue and White could not convert these chances as UP keeper Mariel Sancho made timely catches. Entering the 30-minute mark, another cooling break was called by the referee while both teams were still scoreless.
Taking advantage of the resting period, all of the Blue Eagles’ forwards pressed high to force their adversaries into mistakes. The scoring drought finally ended when Bicierro’s cross led to a corner kick, which Zalamea swung in for Tolentino to head home a high-arcing header, 1-0. The timely goal gave the Blue and White a one-nil advantage heading into halftime.
The opening minutes of the second half saw the Blue Eagles surrender key scoring opportunities to their adversaries, as the UP frontline pushed the pace and advanced the ball into the attacking third. Ateneo sought to retaliate with rapid counterattacks off the flanks, but the Loyola Heights-based midfielders struggled to bypass the Fighting Maroons’ stable backline.
Intent on gaining renewed momentum in the second half, Ateneo forwards continued to push the pace upfront and carve out chances for surrounding wingers. In the 59th minute, Bicierro located an unmarked Chrisia Espiritu, whose blistering run was immediately put out by the UP keeper. Bicierro then sought to capitalize on the open rebound, but ultimately misfired on the long-range effort.
Building on the Ateneo forwards’ brilliant play, Zalamea and Angely Alferez took turns slotting the attacks for the Blue Eagles, but no chance materialized as UP’s defenders were quick to deny any brewing action. Despite the failed attempts, the Ateneo frontline remained persistent on the offensive end. In the 71st minute, Bicierro threaded a difficult pass to a probing Salazar, who fired home a looping shot to double the Blue Eagles’ lead, 2-0.
With a podium finish at their grasp, the Blue Eagles remained aggressive in the defensive third, as the Fighting Maroons sought to salvage the deficit. In the 81st minute, Tolentino burst into the goalpost for a last-ditch clearance to maintain Ateneo’s hold of the lead. Along with Tolentino, Brielle Baca made crucial saves to halt UP’s attempts down the stretch.
After wrapping up the preseason tilt with a podium finish, the Blue Eagles will look to shift their focus to preparing for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament in September.
