Ateneo Men's Football Game 2 The Drawing Board

The Drawing Board

Ateneo 0 vs. UP 2

story by rick olivares picture by martin romero

This is a game where you can say, “Back to the drawing board.”

The defending champions University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons knocked the hard-fighting Ateneo Blue Booters out of their opening day reverie with a convincing 2-0 win that at times seemed liked they scored at least three more goals.

The Maroons had plenty of motivation heading into the match. With their Ghanaian player Ayi Aryee prevented from playing their first match of the season against the University of the East, the champs came out playing stifling defense and it was a battle of 4-3-3 teams.

The first scoring chance however went to the blue and white but striker Anton Amistoso’s shot lack power and direction with a shot from 10 feet out heading straight into UP keeper Gabby Tañada, now the full time starter at the net.

Within minutes, the visitors tightened up their defense by taking the Blue Booters’ playmaker Gabriel Siojo out of the equation with aggressive double-teaming and tackling. Attempts at the long ball were being turned back. Over at the right wing, if James Arco and Jacobo Lorenzo got their 1-2 game going in their match versus FEU, UP’s speed, size, and intensity further stifled Ateneo’s attack.

And that placed more pressure on the home team’s back four. As the first half wore on, it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before UP scored. The champs had 10 shots on goal with four corner shots to Amistoso’s lone blast.

After taking away another feeble attempt at short passing Jay Eusebio sent the ball ahead to the right flank that midfielder Deo Segunial tracked down.

Seguinal rose to the air for control as Ateneo’s central back Mario Marcelo fell. The Maroon turned, ditched Fred Ozaeta and booted home a shot from virtual point blank range. Ateneo keeper RS Mantos, playing valiantly from the aggressive play of UP, had no chance.

The goal hurt particularly because it came at the 44^th minute and three minutes away from the half (with added time) where the respite was sorely needed.

Ateneo’s Luigi Meer was incensed at how UP was having their way throughout the first half where they had possession for 90% of the time. “This is our home field,” he emphasized.

Any adjustment only came when rookie Miguel Monfort was added to the midfield as Merida subbed off Lorenzo. The rookie, showing steel nerves and a good eye for passing helped ease up the pressure as Ateneo got their offense going. Not soon after that, Ateneo had several scoring chances off two corner shots and three more direct kicks. Paul Cheng’s strike from outside the box had the best chance but as the ball cleared the wall, it curved straight into Tañada’s hands.

Gerard Cancio was brought down inside the penalty area but the referee was behind the action and didn’t blow his whistle. The game, as any derby between the two Katipunan neighbors, was not without its rough spots. Five yellow cards were issued with four of them going against Ateneo. Something Merida did not need with a match with La Salle around the corner.

But UP deflated Ateneo when Aryee, in the 88^th minute and time running down and was on several occasions told to reign in his emotions, lost his defender with a deft turn inside the kill zone then flicked it over Mantos who never had a chance.

“Man, they did their homework,” sighed a disconsolate Arco after the match. Dominated was the word.

“Bawi na lang,” said Merida.

Starting XIs

Ateneo – Anton Amistoso, James Arco, Derrick Candelaria, Paul Cheng, Keith King, Jacob Lorenzo, RS Mantos, Mario Marcelo, Luigi Meer, Fred Ozaeta, and Gabriel Siojo

UP – Ayi Aryee, Jay Eusebio, Albert Francisco, Francis Liza, Andre Mercader, Nate Octavio, Steve Permanes, Jed Rances, Deo Segunial, Allen Serna, and Gabby Tañada

Men’s Football Results

In other UAAP matches, Far Eastern University broke into the win column with a gutsy 1-nil win over DLSU. It was a tough loss for La Salle as they had a chance to level when Rafi Milan was brought down by Tamaraws keeper Bricks Caballero just outside the box. Caballero was red carded but DLSU was unable to score on the set piece.

With 10 players left, Ronnie Aguisanda who had been moved to the midfield took over the goalkeeper slot that he tended last year. They also moved Jason Cordova to the back four while adjusting on their forward position.

In the day’s other match, UST kept pace with UP by demolishing UE 2-0. The defending champs and the Tigers part ways this Sunday at 1pm as Ateneo takes on DLSU at 3pm. FEU, in second place with Ateneo with identical 1-1 slates, takes on winless UE that is struggling without Mark Madrona.