IN A match reminiscent of the first leg semifinal between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona in last season’s UEFA Champions League, the Ateneo Blue Booters defied the odds and bested Far Eastern University (FEU), 1-0, at the Ateneo Ocampo field on Thursday, December 13.
Prior to their matchup, FEU shocked top teams University of the Philippines and De La Salle University (DLSU), 3-0, in their respective meets. After the Hail Mary Squad had trumped DLSU and finals runner-up University of Santo Tomas, the Ateneo–FEU matchup was highly anticipated as the ultimate test that would determine whether Team Ateneo is a true title contender for Season 75.
True enough, the game highlighted FEU’s deadly offense, but it was overshadowed by Ateneo’s suddenly impenetrable defense. In the end, it was the home team’s discipline that eventually handed them their third straight win.
As expected, FEU took control of the proceedings early on, but their influence was mostly limited to the midfield. The Tamaraws came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute after some good passing found hotshot Jesus Melliza, who shot over.
The striker, who netted a hat trick against the Blue Booters last season, then produced a fine save from Nick O’Donnell seven minutes later. By then, Ateneo had found it difficult to create any real chances at the FEU goal.
The Ateneo XI finally had a notable attempt in the 29th minute, when Carlo Liay latched on to Emman Paredes’ corner, but the header went over.
After co-skipper Miguel Tuazon was booked for a rough challenge two minutes later, O’Donnell was once again tested by fire. Once again, the Canadian-raised goalkeeper delivered, saving the free kick.
Against the run of play in the 37th minute, the Blue Booters put together a tidy string of passes. One pass found Jacobo Lorenzo, who threaded a nicely weighted ball to Mikko Mabanag, who in turn took one look up then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of FEU keeper Michael Menzi. The first half ended with Ateneo leading, 1-0, to the shock of the FEU bench.
Right from the restart, the Morayta-based squad turned up the pressure offensively. In response, the Blue Booters were forced to drop deep and showcased a complete defensive lockdown—their best defense thus far in the season.
Mabanag nearly doubled his tally in the 61st after a swift counterattack brought him to within shooting distance. This time, however, his shot went directly to Menzi’s hands.
FEU kept attacking Ateneo’s goal, but O’Donnell was there to produce some quality saves once more, parrying Melliza’s free kick in the 64th and saving Eric Giganto’s long-range effort in the 71st.
The Blue Booters got close to getting that crucial second goal, after substitute Armand Gozali’s speculative shot rebounded off the crossbar in the 83rd minute.
As the final minutes ticked by, FEU launched attack after attack, only to be foiled by Ateneo’s backline of Tuazon, Kokoy Marcelino, Jico Noel, Luis Mendoza and O’Donnell. FEU was desperate to score, but the Ateneo defense wasn’t allowing them any quarter.
After three minutes of added time, one final clearance was made as the referee blew his whistle. The message was clear: the Ateneo Blue Booters are for real.
It was Ateneo’s first win over FEU since the 2008 UAAP finals. The Blue Booters now sit atop the league standings unbeaten with a 3-1-0 win-draw-loss record with a total of 10 points.
Coach JP Merida and his boys take on National University at 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 16, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.
