SEVENTY-EIGHT minutes into the match between the Blue Eagles and the Bulldogs, Ateneo midfielder Julian Roxas played a perfect through ball that cut through the entire National University (NU) backline. Rookie Enzo Ceniza was the recipient of this pass. With the inside of his right foot, he finessed a shot past the keeper that landed at the back of the net. The score line ballooned to 3-0, making any comeback for the 10-men Bulldogs improbable at that point of the match. That goal sealed the victory for the men of the Blue and White, making Ceniza the third rookie to score in the infant stages of the season.
The first-year players are not just scoring; they have been integral cogs in the midfield, running up and down the wings, and bossing between the sticks. Their play has become a key to the Ateneo Men’s Football Team’s (AMFT) dominant start to the season, making Coach Jaypee Merida’s decision to start a noteworthy six rookies in the first XI a very sound one.
Their vast football experience despite their ages is a big reason for his faith in the rooks. AJ Arcilla (Los Angeles), Jordan Jarvis (Hong Kong), and Ceniza (Cebu) were each able to hone their craft in places other than Manila— giving them a distinct edge from the competitors. On the other hand, Sam Lim was previously one of the youngest members of the KAYA F.C B Football Team.
“Kung titignan mo ang background [of the rookies], experienced sila,” says Merida (If you look at the background of the rookies, they are experienced). “They deserve to start.”
The abundance of talent of the new recruits is one of the reasons for a significant change in the team this season. The AMFT has been deploying a 3-5-2 formation in the past two games against Adamson University and NU, over the traditional back-four used a season ago. Merida explains that the number one reason for the change in formation was so that they could effectively use the new players they have in the roster.
This adjustment led to some changes in the lineup, including Team Captain Carlo Liay’s shift from a more advanced role in the midfield to the center of the backline. The formation also allowed for more flexibility in attack and defense. The presence of wing backs in the wide area creates plenty of room in the middle of the field, while the defense shifts to a five-man unit when they track back.
“Ang difference ng formation ngayon is defensive formation siya,” Merida explains. He notes that one reason for the shift is that the team focused more on attacking last season, which led to many conceded goals. “It’s important to organize muna sa defending before attacking,” he continues.
In the small sample size of two matches, the switch in shape has produced great results. The defense has been very solid and composed. They have been especially effective on the counter attack, with forwards Lim and leading scorer Jarvey Gayoso forming a potent one-two punch, which had the looks of being a staple of the team for years to come. The team has also been great in set pieces so far, evidenced by Nino Herrera’s —another standout rookie —superb curved goal from a free kick in the opening match.
Despite the positives, the team’s relative inexperience is evident at times. The team was outplayed in the first half of the NU game before the goal, as they played flat and were often dispossessed of the ball.
“Medyo hindi lang ma-handle ng mga rookies yung mga pressures ng UAAP, and it was a live game pa,” Merida explains as a big reason for the slow first half against NU (The rookies were not able to hand the pressures of playing a live game in the UAAP). He added that there are times that he and the coaching staff needed to be patient with the young players. Their ability to bounce back and refocus after the sluggish first half will be essential as the season progresses.
With a pair of victories, seven goals scored, and none conceded in the two games that they have played, they are currently on pace to surpass the slow start they endured in Season 78, where they finished the first round near the bottom of the standings.
As there are many games left in the season, much can still happen, as the team goes on to play against more experienced teams. However, the form that the team is showing and the manner of earning victories seems to not only bode well for their chances this year, but for the success of the team in the years to come.
