Ateneo Men's Football Match #3 Pride, A Key Substitution, and A White Hot Rivalry

Ateneo 2 vs. UST 1
by rick olivares

Match 3
January 20, 2008
Erenchun Field
Ateneo De Manila University

Forget La Salle or the University of the Philippines. If you’re talking about a football rivalry of recent vintage that has been white hot then it’s between Ateneo and the University of Santo Tomas.

There’s that classic championship series of 2005 that was decided via penalty shoot-out with former player Matt Jaucian scoring the clinching goal. There was 2006 when the blue and white had their goalless streak broken by a late Tiger goal. And there was last year when UST finally snatched that crown from Ateneo’s head.

The two teams squared off in the second game of Season 69 and Ateneo despite losing Gerard Cancio five minutes into the match and trotting out a bunch of rookies nearly continued their mastery as they lead 1-nil until a late penalty equalized matters for the España-based eleven. The Blue Booters never recovered from that harrowing opening game as they groped for wins and offense. UST on the other hand seized the momentum to move on and upset FEU for the title.

And everyone still remembered last year heading into the main game of a rainy day’s doubleheader. It was a battle of the last two unbeaten squads. It was all about payback for Ateneo while it was legitimacy for UST.

From the opening whistle, UST took it right to Ateneo with the first kick being a long ball that bended right towards keeper Aris Mantos. Match conditions were unwieldy as the mid-day rain made turned the pitch into patches of mud and a damp grass that made for treacherous footing. If not goalkeeping.

Mantos caught the bomb but it popped out of his hands and bounced outside for the game’s first corner kick. In the earlier match between the University of the Philippines and the University of the East, there was a similar incident where the Warriors’ keeper dropped the ball (because the wetness made it hard to grip) that Maroons’ striker Andoni Santos pushed in for the equalizer (UE would score the marginal goal some five minutes later for their first win of the year). In a game like this, former Blue Booter Raffy Roa who was on hand for the big game, noted that the side that will be more aggressive in their attacks will win.

Bereft of their tall and rangy midfielders, UST nevertheless kept to the same tactics that former coach Nonoy Carpio and their incumbent gaffer Marjo Allado have preached – a forward pass followed by a dead sprint by its speedy wingmen that will not only put pressure on the defense but also on the goalie. Given the field conditions, the Tigers kept probing to see who will make a mistake.

Ateneo seemed to have problems with their attack as they were given a dose of their own medicine by getting boxed in the midfield (they turned the trick against DLSU). Their smooth passing game was easily picked apart by UST defenders.

In the 25 minute, perhaps sensing that UST was on the verge of going one up, Ateneo coach, Ompong Merida pulled out midfielder Gab Siojo for wingman James Arco. It was a huge gamble because it was Siojo who Merida credited as the unsung hero of their past two games with his ability to control the playmaking. It was hoped that Arco’s speed would give them a slight edge while another playmaker Jolo Peralta warmed up to enter the fray.

And it was a stroke of genius. In the 31^st minute, Peralta slipped through the cracks a laid a perfect forward pass that Arco chased down well ahead of UST’s defenders. And Arco found himself going one-on-one with Tigers keeper Johnson Lee. In a situation like that the odds vary, but they normally favor the attacker. Lee rushed out and sent the bantam-sized Atenean sent the ball to the right. Ateneo 1. UST 0.

University of the Philippines coach Vanni Tolentino remarked about the Blue Booters offense, “Ateneo’s conversion rate is pretty good. They get fewer chances their opponents but they put it to good use. That substitution was crucial and in hindsight, a masterstroke. They had two good shots on goal in the first half and they converted one.”

By halftime, Merida scored the team’s lack of aggressiveness and their not taking risks on offense. It seemed that after Gino Tongson’s two yellow cards in their first outing that saw him sit out the last match, players were less willing to mix it up. And now they were backing down from UST’s physical game. Prior to the start of the season, the staff which now includes former player and high school coach Bob Manlulo preached a strict adherence to fair play and proper game ethics. When Tongson leveled down a UP player, Merida threatened to bench him even throw him out of the team if he did it again. “If you’re out with a suspension, how does that help a team,” growled Merida in the aftermath of that opening win.

In this match, UST were the aggressors as they bumped the Ateneans before they could receive the ball. Such a tactic throws off a player’s rhythm and takes away a possible possession. Tigers’ midfielder Christian Saga bumped, held, and tried to get into Peralta’s head. “Stay with your game and make them pay for not playing football,” pointed out the Ateneans’ coach.

If opponents fail to take a lead going into the half they know they’re in a world of trouble for it is a hallmark of Merida’s teams that they make sound and excellent adjustments come the second half. And true enough, the ball was this time mostly played on UST’s side of the pitch. Cancio, Arco, Peralta, and even attacking defensive back Alvin Perez were all drawing beads on the back of the Tigers’ net. And five minutes within the resumption of play, Cancio beat two defenders (off a nifty pass by Arco) that drew out Johnson. It was a mistake because Lee was too far out to save the overhead chip from going into the net. Ateneo 2. UST 0.

Since his freshman year, Cancio has always been a thorn on UST’s side. In the second round game of Season 68, Cancio scored two goals in the second half for a 3-1 Ateneo win.

With the game reaching its conclusion, a penalty inside the Ateneo box was called on Fred Ozaeta (his brother Pat was given his second yellow card of the tournament so he will miss the match against FEU this Wednesday). UST striker and last year’s Most Valuable Player Ric Becite took the shot that was saved by Ateneo keeper Aris Mantos. Only he was called an infraction when the referee declared that Mantos stepped out of the line a second too early so the penalty kick was to be retaken. Earlier, Becite sent the shot to Mantos’ left only it was within arms length for the save. This time he sent it slightly above the keeper’s reach for the final tally of the day. Ateneo 2. UST 1.

After singing the alma mater and thanking the Ateneo supporters who came out in force to watch despite the adverse weather conditions, Merida gathered his boys to patiently wait while UST sang their school hymn and applaud them as they made their way back to their bench. “We always try to go for the win, but we have to play the game a gentleman’s way,” said the multi-titled coach as the rain began to pour down once more. “After all, after the end of the day, it’s just a football game.”