Jet Dela Cruz’s long-range strike was the difference maker as Ateneo de Manila University squeaked past University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, to get its maiden win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Football Tournament Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The 24-year-old Dela Cruz unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that went past UST goalkeeper and captain Jose Miguel Abada 30 minutes into the contest.
The Ateneo High School alumnus’ goal proved to be enough for the Blue Eagles to claim full points for the first time this season.
With the win, Ateneo climbed to second place in the standings with four points and a plus-1 goal difference on the back of one draw and one win.
“I didn’t expect that long shot,” said coach JP Merida.
“But, of course, in training, he does that always. Sabi nga ng coaches ko, kayang i-goal yun ni Jet kasi nangyayari yan palagi sa practice,” he added.
The likes of captain Leo Maquiling and striker Kofi Agyei had chances to double the Blue Eagles’ lead but none of them found the back of the net.
With the game in the balance, UST tried to force an equalizer to at least earn a draw.
Substitute midfielder Carlos Miguel Orale went agonizingly close to a leveler with a header, but it hit the post.
Defender Francis Jay Vercide had a point-blank header that could have saved a point for UST late in the contest, only for him to miss the target.
The Blue Eagles will try to get their second win this Thursday against the UE Red Warriors at 3 p.m. at the same venue.
“I was very happy with my team defensively even if there was a moment when we switched off. The discipline is already there. We need to improve our decision-making during counterattacks. UE watched kanina so they will prepare against us for this Thursday’s game,” shared Merida.
On the other hand, this was UST’s second loss in three matches.
The Golden Booters went down to fifth in the standings with three points and a minus-1 goal difference.
UST will try to bounce back this Sunday against UE as well at 4:00 PM on the same pitch.
Ateneo XI: Cezar (GK), Lucindo, Dela Cruz, Maquiling (C), J Lopez, W Lopez, Abaa, Escobin, Bautista, Uy.
UST XI: Abada (GK) (C), Ramos, Alegre, Jubac, Escobar, Belluga, Selarde, Valderama, Vercide, Garciano, Regis.
