THE ATENEO Blue Eagles were handed their second defeat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 by defending champions Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 1-5, earlier today, September 27, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City.
This defeat places the Blue and White in fourth place with a -5 goal difference.
Star striker Jada Bicierro was the lone goal scorer today, with Midfielder Celina Salzar providing her the assist.
From the opening whistle, the Blue and White grappled with the Lady Tamaraws’ attacking advances. Blue Eagle Soleil Schroth was tasked to contain Regine Rebosura on the left side of the pitch while the rest of the Loyola-based backline searched for counterattack chances. The opportunity finally came when Midfielder Salazar gained possession from a missed FEU attempt, and provided a brilliant long-ball to ace Bicierro, who gave Ateneo the lead within nine minutes, 1-0.
With the 1-nil advantage, the Blue Eagles looked to extend their lead by looking for openings downfield. However, Ateneo Fullbacks Joshper Halili and Schroth struggled with retaining ball possession against FEU’s high pressline. By the 18th minute, the Blue and White was unable to contain Lady Tamaraw Judie Arevalo from scoring a clinical finish from the middle of the box, 1-1.
After conceding the goal, the Blue Eagles looked to recover by playing more back passes. However, this was quickly thwarted as FEU’s frontline continued their relentless press. Alongside their ball retention woes, the Ateneo backline struggled to halt Lady Tamaraw Lenlen Cristobal’s cross to Rebosura, who scored at the 32-minute mark, 1-2.
Down one, the Blue Eagles attempted to create an attacking opportunity after play restarted, but their tactics immediately backfired. Giving up possession, the Blue and White failed to stay vigilant on the defense, as Rebosura made a solo run down the flanks for a goal in the 33rd minute, 1-3, sparking a surge of offense for the Lady Tamaraws.
During the 36th minute, the Blue Eagle backline missed a clearance, which Arevalo successfully converted to give her team a three-goal advantage, 1-4. Shortly after, the whistle was blown with the Blue Eagles entering the break with a massive mountain to climb.
Entering the second half, the Blue Eagles fortified their defensive efforts, but the three-peat champions responded with sustained ball possessions throughout the 45 minutes. In hopes of shifting momentum, AWFT coach Robert Manlulo fielded veteran goalkeeper Chelssy Casals, Kristine Napoles, and Astrid Ignacio to match the Green and Gold’s pace.
At the 49th minute, Bicierro pierced through FEU’s defensive third, but found no teammate to connect with. Turning over possession, Casals restricted access to Ateneo’s goalpost at the 51st and 52nd minute, but failed to contain Knayeza Abellar’s looping shot at the 53rd minute, resulting in a four-goal deficit for the Blue and White, 1-5.
Team Captain KC Zalamea then went for a long shot towards their offensive third in the 56th minute, but FEU immediately retrieved possession in the middle third. Sixty minutes in, Casals left the post open as Rebosura approached Ateneo’s box, but Defender Rae Tolentino thwarted the Lady Tamaraw’s chance at gaining a hat-trick.
Driving through the FEU defense, rookie Salazar swiftly maneuvered closer to achieve Ateneo’s second goal in the 65th minute, but substitute goalie Liliana Artillo denied her shot. Bicierro then found an opportunity for a goal from the right corner, but lost possession to the Lady Tamaraw defenders.
Both teams then traded time on the ball in the next 10 minutes, highlighted by Schroth’s physicality with a body block on Abellar’s close-range shot. Casals then dove to catch another Abellar shot at the 81st minute, displaying Loyola Heights’ amplified defense. Ateneo consequently established field formation down the stretch, attempting to recover from a lop-sided match.
Reaching full time, Casals proved her goalkeeping prowess after three-straight saves against FEU’s Desiree Maybuena and Leofrance Gayapa, as the game entered stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Casals secured another Maybuena shot to allow the Blue Eagles a possible turnover. However, Salazar and Bicierro’s last-minute run to score was foiled by Artillo, ultimately capping Ateneo’s defeat to the three-peat champions, 1-5.
Set on achieving a point on the board, the AWFT will challenge the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, October 1, at 6:30 PM in the same venue.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (1): Gajitos (GK), Zalamea (C), Schroth, Alferez, Salazar, Halili, Espiritu, Bicierro, Eval, Tolentino, Ramos
FEU (5): Lehayan (GK), Albiño (C), Arevalo, Dela Peña, Duran, Doctora, Tulabing, Cristobal, Egay, Rebosura, Colina
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- DLSU Lady Booters – 9 (+4)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws – 6 (+8)
- UST Lady Booters – 3 (0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 0 (-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 0 (-7)
