THE ATENEO Blue Eagles earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Season 87 bronze medalists, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Booters. The encounter was held earlier today, October 4, at the UP Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.
The Blue Eagles now hold a 1-1-2 win-loss-draw record with a -4 goal difference, remaining fourth in the standings.
Jada Bicierro claimed Player of the Game honors once more after emphatically scoring the equalizer for the Blue and White, denying UST from earning full points on the board.
The opening exchange saw the Lady Booters applying early offensive pressure to Ateneo before their right-flank attack was denied by veteran Goalkeeper Chelssy Casals in the 9th minute.
UST gained a corner kick opportunity in the 11th minute with Stephanie Logastua taking the shot, leading to the Lady Booter’s header, which sailed over the bar. Unrelenting on the attack, UST’s Christy Logastua linked up with Gleydile Añonuevo, whose shot narrowly missed the Ateneo goal.
A 17th-minute collision with UST’s Erich Montejo yielded a free kick for Ateneo’s Raya Tolentino. Tolentino then passed this to teammate Patricia Francisco, who was swifting to the box, but was rejected by UST Goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia.
Kristine Napoles and Bicierro probed repeatedly for the Blue Eagles in attempts to break through the tough España wall. Still, no efforts were enough to outclass the Lady Booters, as Bianca Sy and Ruth Bullanday halted every attempt.
Both teams remained locked in a stalemate 20 minutes in, with the Katipunan-based squad struggling to maintain possession of the ball. Logastua capitalized on Ateneo’s permeable defense, but misfired over the bar six minutes later.
Soon after, Midfielder Napoles eyed another strike, but a lack of support from her teammates allowed UST to regain control of the match. A swift breakthrough from the España-based team briefly threatened Ateneo, but the play was ruled offside.
Coming out of the halftime break, Blue Eagle Head Coach Robert Manlulo fielded Winger Angely Alferez, who created promising chances downfield for the Blue and White. Her efforts led to a right-wing cross at the 52nd minute, but the Blue Eagles struggled to connect, keeping the score level at 0-0.
While the Blue Eagles had chances to counterattack, the Blue and White’s back four were unable to maintain ball control, resulting in a breakaway chance from UST’s Logastua at the 58th minute, 0-1. With a 1-nil deficit, Coach Manlulo played Celina Salazar further downfield in hopes of turning the tide in Ateneo’s favor.
With Alferez and Salazar supporting Bicierro, the Blue and White came close to multiple goals, but struggled to convert for the equalizer. However, a counterattack occurred at the 78th minute as Bicierro received the ball on the right wing, passing two Lady Booters for an incredible solo goal, 1-1.
With both teams deadlocked but determined to get ahead, possession traded between Loyola Heights and España until the final whistle was blown, 1-1.
Speaking on her recent form, Bicierro credited the collective hard work of the team for their Round 1 success.
“It’s not just me; it’s from the team. With me scoring, I think we have a lot of potential, and we just need to push ourselves harder, especially in this circuit. It’s a privilege and we’re happy that we were able to score,” the striker shared.
Following a promising showing in the first elimination round match-ups, the Blue Eagles look to refine their in-field connection in the second round set next semester in January 2026.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (1): Casals (GK), Zalamea (C), Schroth, Alobin, Salazar, Halili, Bicierro, Eval, Francisco, Tolentino, Napoles
UST (1): Garcia (GK), Sy (C), Tapiz, Gerona, Bullanday, S. Logastua, Ramos, Anonuevo, Ursal, Montejo, C. Logastua
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws – 9 (+9)
- DLSU Lady Booters – 9 (+4)
- UST Lady Booters – 4 (-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 4 (-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 0 (-8)
