Angely Alferez’s late penalty earned Ateneo de Manila University its first point in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament in a 2-2 stalemate against University of the Philippines Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Alferez, who came from Tagum City National Comprehensive High School, kept her nerves.
She converted a spot-kick in the 76th minute to give the Blue Eagles a priceless draw at the expense of the Fighting Maroons.
This outcome marked the first time that Ateneo has tallied a point in the tournament since a 1-1 draw against UP as well back on May 8, 2019, in Season 81.
Ateneo remains bottom of this year’s standings with one point and a minus-13 goal difference after two losses and this draw.
“Sobrang sarap kasi ang feeling po yung hardwork ng team ay nabuhayan po,” said Alferez. “Hindi ko po yun goal. Goal po yun ng buong team. Sobrang happy po ako sa performance ng team po.”
Ateneo was forced to work doubly hard to earn the point. KC Zalamea gave the Blue Eagles the lead just seven minutes into the match, only for the Fighting Maroons to strike harder.
Aurea Reaso brought UP back within level terms in the 19th minute. Following that, Drea Montilla put the ball at the back of the net in the 37th minute to give the lead to the Fighting Maroons.
However, the likes of Kamea Mangrobang and Hannah Muros failed to convert their chances for UP and Ateneo took full advantage near the end.
The Blue Eagles earned a penalty for a foul in the Fighting Maroons’ box, which Alferez converted in the end.
“We tried to prepare for this one for so many seasons just to get this one point to be in the tournament atmosphere,” said coach Bob Manlulo. “For the past two seasons, we’re always at the bottom. But at this time, the players proved themselves that they can do it despite all of the adversities and the team roster that we have.”
Ateneo will finish the first round and try to build on this result against University of Santo Tomas this Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
On the other hand, UP remains in third place with four points and a minus-2 goal difference behind one win, one draw and one defeat.
The Fighting Maroons will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws this Saturday at 4:00 PM on the same pitch.
Ateneo XI: Lee (GK), Tuaño, Tolentino, Samonte, Zalamea, Francisco (C), Alfred, Espiritu, Lim, Naples, Eval.
UP XI: Acelo (GK), Chua, Montilla, Fuentes, Narido, Baroin, Cachero (C), Kim, Mangrobang, Napiza, Reaso.
