The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have nearly reached their goal of entering the post-season of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament.
Jay Pee Merida’s team enjoyed a routine 2-0 victory over the National University Bulldogs, Sunday afternoon at FEU-Diliman in Quezon City.
“This was our fourth game in ten days. Pinag-uusapan namin sa training na it’s a challenge for us. We need to accept this and finish this fourth game. Medyo disappointed na ganun yung schedule, but we saw the scheduling. Even yung La Salle, they have four straight games,” said Merida.
The result increases Ateneo’s standing to 22 points, and opens up a four-point gap between them and current second-placed team FEU. One more win for the Eagles virtually seals the deal. On the other hand, NU still have 10 points.
Merida added, “I’m happy na rin kasi yung character, even yung second half (na) hindi sa amin, pero nakita ko yung character ng boys. They showed yung attitude nila na ‘we have to finish this game’ even if dominated kami nung second half.”
The Blue Eagles were heavy favorites for this game, and the league leaders’ potency in front of goal was evident right from the start. Andreas Maniquis’ long-range strike in the 12th minute opened the Bulldogs’ floodgates. Mark Nacional then compounded NU’s struggles with another goal four minutes later.
Perhaps the strangest thing about the contest was that Ateneo failed to conjure a goal in the second half. Nacional and Rupert Bana had chances to score, but they failed to find the net this time around. NU then thought they had earned a consolation goal late in the match, but saw it ruled out for an infraction.
“Playing against UP, it’s (going to be) a good game. It’s a hard game and of course it’s playing against the defending champions. This second round talagang maganda yung performance nila,” concluded Merida.
Ateneo shall next face defending champions University of the Philippines on April 14, 2019, 9:00 AM. Meanwhile, NU also face State U, but three days earlier at 1:30 PM. FEU-Diliman will remain as the venue for the games.
NU XI: Alangilan, Alivio, Betanio (GK), Broce, Dahan, Deloso, Lawagan ©, Park, Perong, Piao, Unabia.
ADMU XI: Arcilla (GK), Baña, Gayoso, Herrera, Liao, Maniquis, Mercado, Nacional, Poe, Rocha, Roxas ©.
