THE SECOND round game between the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Booters and the Ateneo Lady Booters last Sunday, January 20, at the Ocampo Field concluded in a clean 0-0 draw.
The first shot of the match was on the 13th minute when Ateneo midfielder Camille Rodriguez got the ball through to right winger Cess Trinidad. Trinidad dribbled and eventually took a shot, but UST goalie Nonato to catch the ball easily.
Ateneo was hungry to avenge their first round loss against UST as attack after attack bombarded the UST defense line. For the next 11 minutes, UST could barely hold on to the ball. Frustration settled in during the 16th minute when UST forward Clemente earned herself a yellow card after insulting the referee.
The Katipunan-based squad was dominating, but UST also had a few great plays. On the 29th minute, a corner kick by midfielder Rivilla felt perfectly in front of the second post of the goal, sadly for the Tigers, no one was there to follow up.
On the 35th minute, a throw in by veteran Cecile Dayrit to Milka Romero almost made its way to the goal as the Romero passed it back to Dayrit, who subsequently passed to Trinidad. The wonderful play was sadly nullified as UST Goalie Nonato dove for the ball.
Just before the whistle blew for halftime, an amazing combination play between UST forwards Clemente, Jazul and Regalado almost bagged a goal however, Clemente’s shot went over the cross bar.
During halftime, head coach Bob Manlulo’s frustration was very audible. Though the Lady Booters were not playing terribly, it’s clear that the coach believed players could do more than settle for a draw.
On the 52nd minute, Cecile Dayrit was fouled. Right defender Maan Cadayona took the free kick, but it went out the left side of the goal. A minute later, Cadayona fouled Regalado and the free kick was taken by Abuan, yielding no goal.
On the 69-minute mark, a corner kick from UST player Jazul made an opening for UST but Ateneo Goalie Gely Tiu caught the ball.
An interception by Trinidad on the 71-minute mark threatened the UST defenses but as she committed to a cross, the UST Goalie Nonato caught the ball. Then UST immediately counterattacked.
UST Captain Regalado brought the ball with force and as she finally passed the ball to the left in the hopes of reaching UST left winger Marice Magdalot (twin sister of #17) but Ateneo defender Kimberly Jimenez denied UST the play.
Trinidad was dribbling but she lost the ball to a UST player in the 74th minute. In an attempt to retrieve the ball, she slid and tripped the player in the process. The referee blew his whistle and gave Trinidad her first yellow card of the game.
On the 77th minute, Ateneo executed three attacks in less than a minute. Sadly, all three attacks failed. During the 83rd minute, UST was caught off guard by Trinidad who came swooping from behind in hopes of stealing the ball. Trinidad almost succeeded but Clemente held on to Trinidad and somehow pulled her down to the ground.
The referee blew his whistle to call the foul, but Clemente insulted him again and she was given her second yellow card. This then resulted to a red card, which sent her straight out of the game, consequently suspending her for at least one game.
Four minutes later, sophomore Leah Cruz earned herself her first yellow card for the game as she fouled UST’s Marice Magdalot. In the end, the game concluded in a scoreless draw.
The Ateneo Lady Booters’ next game will be against the Far Eastern University Lady Booters on January 27, Sunday, 3:00 PM at the Ocampo Field.
