The Ateneo Blue Booters ended the first round of UAAP Season 74 with a surprising 1-0 victory over De La Salle University (DLSU) last Sunday, January 29 at the Ateneo High School football field.
After a bitter 3-1 defeat at the hands of FEU, an incomplete Loyola squad came into the match looking for a much-needed win. Unfortunately, co-captain and first keeper RS Mantos remains suspended and sophomore wingman Emman Paredes was serving a one-game suspension for two yellow cards against FEU.
Additionally, Coach Jay-Pee Merida made a surprising lineup change by playing co-captain and striker Yu Murayama as keeper and making second keeper Joel Faustino play as midfielder.
Apparently, Murayama’s surgically repaired ACL is showing signs of re-injury, thus prompting Coach Merida to put the former as keeper, a position he used to play for three years in his high school days. Likewise, Faustino was also a strong midfielder in high school, thus the switch of positions seemed reasonable yet risky nonetheless.
The prospect of playing against a dangerous DLSU squad, however, made the odds appear unfavorable for the men in blue.
Similar to their match against UST, the Blue Booters played offense and defense that matched La Salle’s performance. In the 10th minute, however, La Salle gave a big scare when two green shirts broke through the defense. Larson Smit kicked the ball in front of an approaching Murayama, but luckily the ball hit the crossbar and was cleared by Ateneo.
For the rest of the first half, Ateneo and La Salle would visit each other’s half with offensive runs that did not yield any points.
Ateneo’s Mico Clavano struck an attempt from a pass by Anton Amistoso, but the shot went over. Two good attempts by rookie Mikko Mabanag were caught by La Salle keeper Patrick Deyto—arguably one of the best keepers in the UAAP. Meanwhile, an impressive bicycle kick by Alfredo Bustamante and attempts by Lasallian rookies Sabin Bustamante and Greggy Yang were caught or deflected by Murayama.
The first half ended with both teams scoreless, but the big goal for Ateneo came barely tw0 minutes into the second half.
Near the 47th minute, Mabanag sent a clean pass to Amistoso on the right wing. Amistoso sent out a grounder before the DLSU defense could approach. Estimating that the shot would go out of bounds, Deyto favored the left side of the goal and realized too late that the ball was zooming straight into the right corner of the goal. Ateneo led the game, 1-0.
La Salle mounted numerous runs that nearly translated into goals as the Ateneo back four held the fort. In the 49th minute, a play by Nazer Tolentino, Hector Borromeo and Yang was disrupted by Ateneo left back, Francis Mendoza. Whenever an Archer would beat the defense, Murayama would be there for the catch or the tip.
The intensity of the match saw much bodies going down hard. Co-captain James Arcos was carried out of the match and replaced by Anton Sison. Rookie Jico Noel was hurt in a hard collision and was carried out momentarily, but he returned to the game.
Coach Merida also sent in rookie Anthony Sunico, Carl Llado to play defense and Kurt Alvarez as wingman. This move put some fresh legs on the field for Ateneo and added pressure on La Salle.
The Blue Booters also looked to up their lead, but the La Salle defense was there to disrupt these attempts. Many runs by Alvarez, Mabanag and Sison were denied by the green shirts. Clavano was able to beat defense but his shot was easily scooped up by Deyto.
La Salle had multiple chances to equalize near the end of the game. In particular, four deadly recoveries by La Salle in the last two minutes were smothered by the Ateneo defense. The last play of the match was a defensive conversion by Ateneo: a lone Mabanag shot was caught by Deyto before the final whistle sounded.
“I’m really proud of my teammates,” said an elated Arcos. “This win was a true team effort; we really needed this win.”
Murayama also had a great showing as he proved to be a very effective keeper—he caught or tapped out every on-target attempt by La Salle.
Now sporting 2-3 record, Ateneo sits at fourth while archrival La Salle joins UE at the bottom with a winless record—a surprising performance for the favorite DLSU squad that won in the Unigames last October. After the first round, La Salle drew against all teams but lost against Ateneo.
UST leads the standings at first place, followed by defending champions UP at second and FEU at third.
The second round of UAAP Football Season 74 resumes on Sunday, February 5, at the Ateneo High School football field.
