Jada Bicierro picked the perfect time to make her mark, scoring the lone goal as Ateneo de Manila University edged University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, to open its UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football campaign on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Season 88 Best Striker broke the deadlock in the 50th minute despite Ateneo spending much of the match without possession. She calmly finished a perfectly timed pass from Celina Salazar past UST goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia.
Bicierro, a former member of the national futsal squad, made no mistake on the opportunity, drilling her shot into the back of the net to put the Blue Eagles ahead.
That proved to be the difference. Ateneo’s defense stood firm to preserve the lead, with rookie goalkeeper Brielle Olivia Baca coming up with several timely saves, particularly in stoppage time, to keep UST off the scoreboard.
“I guess we’ll take it one game at a time. It’s hard to determine right away if we are ready on this high level, but surely, the girls show the improvement… And especially the patience, and the resilience to stay with UST until the final whistle,” long-time Blue Eagles head coach Bob Manlulo said.
Ateneo will next face De La Salle University, which also opened its campaign with a 1-0 victory over University of the Philippines, on Saturday at 7:00 PM.
UST, meanwhile, enjoyed the better start, with midfielder Joyce Gemberva leading the Golden Tigresses’ early attack.
Gemberva, a rookie, had two chances to break the deadlock in quick succession, but her close-range attempt and ensuing free kick both went straight to Baca. Princess Amilhamja then came close late in the first half, but Baca once again kept her goal unbreached as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
UST will look to bounce back against tournament debutants National University on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
