AFTER THEIR scoreless draw to University of Santo Tomas last week, the Ateneo Blue Booters bounced back and returned to winning ways, edging the University of the East (UE), 2-0, on Sunday, January 27 at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.
In their second round meeting with UE, the Blue and White dominated for all 90 minutes of play. Had finishing been more clinical, however, the score would have been way more daunting. Nevertheless, Ateneo continued its unbeaten streak in Season 75. With the win, the Blue Booters continue their reign at the top, with a 6-2-0 win-draw-loss record.
The Blue Booters had their first chance in the eighth minute when Mikko Mabanag set himself up for a free kick following a foul. However, his shot rebounded off the defensive wall.
On the 13-minute mark, after the UE keeper found himself in no man’s land, a pass looked to Emman Paredes who had the goal at his mercy. Ateneo’s number eight hit the ball on his weaker left foot, yet the shot went high and over.
Three minutes later, Valentino Calvo found himself running down UE’s left flank, but his shot went straight to the UE goalkeeper. In the 20th minute, Calvo broke free from the UE defense and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the latter came out on top.
UE, up until that point, failed to produce a shot at Nick O’Donnell’s goal. This resulted to their only attempt going wide.
On the 43rd minute, substitute Armand Gozali was fed a pass just outside the penalty area. The former Xavierian fired a shot that found the net, nestling in the bottom corner, giving Ateneo the 1-0 lead.
A minute later, Mikko Mabanag found himself through on goal, and the former Junior Blue Booter made no mistake. He blasted his shot past the keeper and into the back of the net from close range for that 2-0 lead at halftime.
After the break, Ateneo seemed hungry for more. Launching attack after attack, it looked like the final score would be lopsided, but their finishing in the final third went lacking.
Calvo had six shots on target throughout the final 45 minutes, but the keeper saved his shots. Paredes also had several chances to get his name of the score sheet, but just could not find the back of the net before getting subbed out.
UE spent most the time on the back foot, lucky enough not to be dealt with a trashing.
With the assured win, Ateneo Head Coach JP Merida sent in fresh legs knowing full well that their next game is against Far Eastern University (FEU) who is currently at second place.
Carlo Liay, one of Ateneo’s most important players thus far, was carried off the field in the 20th minute after taking a strong hit, making him doubtful for the matchup against FEU.
Jacobo Lorenzo also sat out the game due to a hurt leg and is also unsure if he is to suit up against FEU.
The match against FEU will be held on Thursday, January 31 at the Ocampo Field.
