THE ATENEO Blue Eagles achieved a tremendous 3-0 victory over Omni SS F.C. to top the group stage standings of the Ang Liga Filipina Invitational. The match was held earlier today, August 8, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field in Quezon City.
Adding to her impressive preseason statistics thus far, Striker Jada Bicierro spearheaded the victory for the Blue Eagles by contributing three goals.
From the first whistle, the Blue Eagles showed tremendous ball retention as defender Raya Tolentino linked with Celina Salazar. The midfielder continued to feed rookie Sophia Lyttle, who made incredible runs down the flanks, delivering crosses to Bicierro. However, the Blue and White failed to convert early chances as Omni’s goalie Ainah De Guzman made incredible dives and parries.
Applying relentless pressure, the booters from Katipunan capitalized on De Guzman’s defensive lapse as Bicierro headed in a goal at the 21-minute mark, 1-0. However, from this point forward, the Blue and White exhibited chinks in their armor as Omni’s defenders displayed better ball control. Ateneo forwards also struggled to contain Omni’s long balls, as the Blue Eagles conceded attacking opportunities.
Approaching the end of the first half, the Blue and White nearly surrendered a goal from Omni’s Lyka Teves’ header, but veteran keeper Chelssy Casals pushed for a timely catch to keep a clean sheet by halftime, 1-0.
The Blue Eagles sustained their fiery energy in the opening minutes of the second half. In the 50th minute of the game, Bicierro powered through Omni’s fragile defense, successfully finding the back of the net for her second goal, 2-0.
Ball possession exchanged between both teams in the next six minutes, with the action concentrated in the center of the field. Aiming to bounce back, Omni F.C. fired consecutive shots on target, but Casals once again astutely parried all attempts.
Bicierro then broke the Blue Eagles’ cold streak, securing the hat-trick after finding an opening to score. The star striker’s goal gave Ateneo a comfortable 3-0 lead, with 30 minutes of action left.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Omni attempted to stage a comeback by maintaining ball control in the remaining minutes of the half. However, their ball possession failed to convert into any markers as Teves overshot a strike for her last attempt in the game, 0-3.
Speaking on the team’s victory, Bicierro credited the squad’s triumph to their hustle on and off the field. “It wasn’t really individual goals. It was the team’s hard work on the game, and also in practice,” said the striker.
This victory concluded Ateneo’s group stage campaign in the Ang Liga Filipina Invitational, putting them at the top of the standings.
