Ateneo Men's Football Match 8 A monkey wrench, a first goal high, and a spectacular collapse

Ateneo 1 vs. UST 3
by rick olivares

Match 8
February 6, 2008
Erenchun Field
Ateneo De Manila University

Aris Mantos tried his best to mask the pain in his face but he’s a football player not an actor. Some 20 minutes before the start of the second round match between Ateneo and UST, Mantos accidentally dug his finger into the ground while fielding a ball during warm-ups. He would later go to Moro Lorenzo Sports Center for an x-ray that would show no fracture, but the bone was clearly dislocated and his start scratched from this game and perhaps the coming Sunday match versus UP.

The sea of calm on Ompong Merida’s face prior to any game was replaced by a dourness brought on by Mantos’ injury that just jeopardized the entire campaign. His back-up keepers Tyrone Caballes and Yu Murayama were nowhere near ready and against UST which loves to put pressure on opposing goalkeepers, the game had all the ingredients for a loss.

But Luigi Meer would have none of that early on. In the fifth minute, a swift Ateneo counter saw Meer break towards the left wings with a UST defender in tow. The Tigers’ goal keeper Jefferson Lee is not one given to fair play as he noisily taunted the Ateneo wing back. “Walang alam ‘yan. Walang alam ‘yan. Hindi yan marunong,” said Lee.

And just like that, Meer relayed a perfect cross right into James Arco who blasted the ball towards the goal before anyone could react. 1-0 Ateneo. “Akala ko ba hindi marunong,” harangued some Ateneo sports shooters towards the suddenly chastened goalie.

But that was the last feel good moment of the game for the Blue Booters. Five minutes later, UST would retaliate for the equalizer and take the lead before the half.

The Blue Booters were dejected and tired as they trudged back to the bench. It was uncanny how the team had failed to anticipate UST’s game plan. For the last six years, they have had a very simple directive: play the long ball and win the aerial battle for possession. UST has had always taller players and winning the ball in the air inside the box is crucial as everyone will tell you. And it was because of this that UST led 2-1 at the half.

The adjustments were made during the break and the long ball was prevented. But the problem this time was clearing the ball. For the better part of the past six years, the Tigers never beat Ateneo. The back four has always been solid and they’ve always had good keepers beginning with Starboy Carino, James Dalang, and Jerwin Belina. But Mantos who could be just as good as these championship-winning keepers was out any it was up to the d-backs to help repel the invaders from Espana.

Unfortunately, in the second half, the Ateneans were shooting themselves in the foot by their inability to properly clear the ball. In the last game versus UE, the team gave up 11 corners to the Red Warriors. In this game they would surrender 15 shots. And anyone will tell you that eventually the law of averages will catch up.

Ateneo had only four shots on goal in the second half and only one was had genuine chance of finding the back of the net. With time running down to 10 minutes left in the game, UST scored a third goal off a corner that defensive back Francis Mendoza failed to clear (Migs Tuason was suspended for the game on account of two yellow cards). 3-1 UST.

The victory was so huge that for the first time in ages, the UST hymn was heard on the Loyola pitch after the game. An angry and disappointed team made its way back. “Bawi tayo sa Sunday,” urged Gerard Cancio who hardly got himself into scoring position in the game. “We have to play harder. Laban tayo.”

Alvin Perez was angry. In all his five playing years, he’s never played in a game where the defense was that porous. He muttered aloud to no one in particular as he untied his spikes.

“Well, at least we’re still on top of the standings,” said Merida who’s mind was clearly racing ahead to prepare for the eventuality that Mantos would not be healthy for the Sunday game. “But delikado tayo ngayon. Another loss and UP, FEU, or UST could overtake us. Hindi na tayo siguardo na makakapasok tayo. We have to win on Sunday.”

He walked towards the team dugout in Blue Eagle Gym with a look of a disturbed man. He didn’t really care for UST managing to get a win against his team. That was fine. After all, it’s the title that counts.