By: Nicole Parallag
Fabled rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University battled to a 1-1 draw in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Rookie James Sibla gave the Green Booters the early edge, calmly slotting in the opener in the 21st minute for his first goal of the season.
But Ateneo quickly struck back as fellow newcomer Marco Salud rose to the occasion, heading home a precise delivery inside the box in the 30th minute to equalize.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We started slow and we weren’t able to anticipate that La Salle would play high,” said Ateneo coach JP Merida, who returned to the sidelines after serving a one-game suspension against the University of Santo Tomas.
“And I think coming from Vermosa, and then playing in UP, it’s a bit of an adjustment for us. This is a bigger field than Vermosa, so it became a problem for us during the first half. Good thing we were still able to end the first half 1-1.”
The second half turned into a defensive showcase, with La Salle goalkeeper James Lauron producing an excellent performance to deny every Blue Eagles attempt on target.
Ateneo skipper Dov Carino tirelessly tried to unlock La Salle’s backline, but the Green Booters’ defense held firm.
“The boys played well, but we need more training, you know, especially with finishing and in our attacking,” said La Salle coach Richard Leyble.
“Ateneo is a strong team, but if they had just followed the instructions, we could have won this game. The problem is the final moment of play, so we need to train that, go back to training, and design how to convert the finishing.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Both sides continued to press in the closing minutes, desperate to find a breakthrough, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils.
With the result, Ateneo remains tied for first place with the University of the Philippines on seven points and a plus-3 goal difference. Meanwhile, La Salle climbed to third with five points and an even goal difference.
Both squads now head into a week-long break before returning to action at the same venue next Sunday.
La Salle faces Adamson University at 4:00 PM, while Ateneo battles neighbor UP in the highly anticipated ‘Battle of Katipunan’ at 6:30 PM.
