AFTER SEVEN long and harrowing seasons, the Ateneo Blue Booters finally secured the UAAP Football crown, winning Game Two of their championship series versus the University of the Philippines (UP), 4-2 on penalties, after failing to score in 120 minutes of play last Sunday, February 24. The victory was also quite symbolic, as it happens to be the inaugural year of Ateneo’s new Moro Lorenzo Football Field.

The win also marks the end of UP’s dominance in football, with Coach Anto Gonzales’ men winning two consecutive titles beforehand.

Much like their previous encounter, both teams played rather cautiously in the opening 20 minutes, save for a Valentino Calvo attempt that went wide in the 17th minute.

On the 20-minute mark, good execution by UP presented Mike Simms an opportunity, but the midfielder’s shot was well over. 13 minutes later, Simms hit the target, letting a powerful shot go outside the box, but it proved to be a comfortable save for Ateneo goalkeeper Nick O’Donnell.

In the 40th minute, rookie Eric Figueroa found himself a pocket of space and unleashed a grounder that stretched UP keeper Villanueva who saved the shot. At halftime, both teams were still scoreless.

Play after the break proved to be mellow as both teams opted to keep the game in midfield. The 63rd minute saw O’Donnell quick off his line to deny UP a goal.

The Ateneo keeper then dealt with a dangerous ball three minutes later, when a UP winger saw his cross creep toward O’Donnell’s near post. The ensuing counter attack saw Calvo at a dangerous area in UP’s half, but the rookie’s shot went over.

In the following possession, Carlo Liay caused some problems in the UP box, until UP skipper Deo Segunial headed out for an Ateneo corner kick. This created a chance for Figueroa, but the former junior Blue Booter shot wide.

On 75 minutes, Mikko Mabanag was fouled, thus Liay set himself up for a free kick. The Italian-raised midfielder nearly produced something spectacular with his shot just going inches over.

Liay once again bothered the UP backline in the 83rd minute, but he dragged his shot wide.

UP launched attacks of their own in the dying moments with Carlos Monfort almost getting the better of O’Donnell on 87 minutes, but the latter still came out on top with a diving save.

Simms got close once again one minute from time, but his half volley went well wide. The referee then blew the whistle after a solitary minute of stoppage time, signaling an extra 30 minutes of play.

Looking tired, both teams barely got anything going in the first 15 minutes. The only chance of note came in the 99th minute, when Calvo found himself one-on-one with Villanueva, but the former blasted his shot over and out.

With the penalty shootout looming, UP desperately searched for that goal and got close in the final minutes. Segunial found himself through on goal in the 116th minute, but his left-footed shot went wide. In what proved to be the final chance of the game on 118 minutes, Jinggoy Valmayor let a powerful shot go from outside the box, only for it to go slightly over.

Moments later, the referee called time, which meant the dreaded penalty shootout was in place to determine a winner—the third in the last three games for the Katipunan-based squad.

After Figueroa made it 1-o to the home side, James Mendoza fired UP’s first penalty kick, but it went wide.

Calvo then sent graduating UP keeper Tyrone Caballes the wrong way, while Reymark Fernandez saw his shot blocked by O’Donnell, giving Ateneo a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Mabanag then stepped up and dispatched his shot onto the top-left corner, way out of Caballes’ reach, pegging the shootout at 3-0.

With their season on the line, Valmayor comfortably slotted past O’Donnell, handing UP a lifeline, 1-3.

Liay then had the chance to seal the game, but blasted his effort well over. The shocked rookie fell to the ground and covered his face, ashamed and frustrated.

UP’s Fe Baya put his team back in the game, making a spectator out of O’Donnell with his penalty, 2-3.

Then came Ateneo veteran Yu Murayama. Facing Caballes, his former junior Blue Booters teammate, for the second time this finals series, Murayama had a chance to lift the Blue Booters to victory. Murayama dispatched his shot onto the roof the net, handing the Blue Booters their first title since Season 68.

At the close of Season 75, three Blue Booters were awarded accolades. Mikko Mabanag was named Best Midfielder, Carlo Liay bagged Rookie of the Year, while Nick O’Donnell won Best Goalkeeper as well as the coveted Most Valuable Player award.

La Salle Booter Greggy Yang was awarded Best Defender while Jesus Melizza of Far Eastern University was given Best Striker Honors and his alma mater was awarded the Fair Play award.

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