While Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines were battling it out in their first game of the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Football Tournament, an erstwhile Blue Eagle star playing elsewhere.
Jarvey Gayoso, one of the Ateneo’s greatest products, was with the Azkals Development Team against Philippine Army FC in at the ASCOM football field in Taguig City.
In his absence, the Blue Eagles toiled against their neighbors, but still found a way to earn a 1-1 draw to start their campaign on a decent note.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi even if we were down one goal against UP… The players pushed themselves talaga going doon sa last chances,” said Ateneo coach Jay Pee Merida after midfielder Nino Herrera’s penalty gave his side a point.
In Gayoso’s absence, Luca Alleje led the line for the Blue Eagles. And it was an impressive showing for the sophomore forward as he won the spot-kick, which resulted in the equalizer.
Ultimately, performances like his are imperative for the Blue Eagles if they want to win without their former star.
“Of course, lagi kong sinabi sa (mga players), after Jarvey decided not to play his final year… Wala pa ‘yung mga instructions galing sa akin, especially si Mark Nacional and Luca Alleje, [but] they stepped up talaga,” said the three-time champion mentor.
“They need to push themselves. Wala si Jarvey so kailangan sila na mag-step up for this team.”
Gayoso isn’t the only potent goalscorer to leave Ateneo, though. Rupert Bana and Julian Roxas have also maxed out their eligibility in the UAAP. Their exits were inevitable due to the nature of the college game, but with all of them leaving at the same time, one can forgive Merida for lamenting his luck.
“For me talaga, kinwestion ko sarili ko. I think this is part of my job.
“Kailangan talaga mag-move on because there’s a limit on playing years. So I need to motivate my new players to welcome them sa kung ano magiging style namin this incoming season. I’m very happy (since) the players follow kung ano ang kailangan naming style na gagawin,” added the Quezon City native.
While the likes of Gayoso may never don the Ateneo shirt on the pitch in the UAAP, he and the rest of his fellow alumni are always welcome to come back as fans in the crowd, or even as mentors who can give their successors the pep talk they need to become better players.
“They are all there palagi lang sa stands to watch or share their (wisdom) for the Ateneo team.”
