In a battle of the top teams in the league, the high-octane Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles were held goalless for the first time this season, as the Far Eastern University Tamaraws secured a goalless draw, Thursday evening at the Moro Lorenzo Field in Katipunan, Quezon City.
In a sense, the game came at a bad time for both teams, since Ateneo lost Jarvey Gayoso to suspension, while FEU’s Paolo Bugas was only fit enough to start at the bench.
“Yung nakita ko sa players ko ay they’re not here for the three points. Daming fancy na ginagawa. For me siguro I need to accept that one point. At least we added to our points,” commented Ateneo mentor JP Merida.
FEU started the more dominant of the two teams in the first half. The Tamaraws had a free kick which sailed over the Blue Eagles bar, and should have drawn first blood when Alex Rayos’ attempt hit the bar.
Ateneo clearly struggled without Gayoso in the first half, as the Blue Eagles rarely troubled Tamaraws goalie Ray Joyel. One Blue Eagle who tried his luck was Julian Roxas, who forced a routine stop from Joyel.
A similar story unfolded in the second half. Just like the period that preceded it, the two schools canceled each other out. The best chance of the game fell to Dave Deloso, who managed to unleash a shot from substitute Bugas’ fantastic pass, only for Ateneo goalie Jae Arcilla to produce a wonderful save to keep the game scoreless.
Deloso, perhaps eager to atone for his miss, then attacked a ball that was launched into the Blue Eagles box. Arcilla eyed the same ball and the two players collided in mid-air. It was the Tamaraw who felt hard done by, though, as he had to be stretchered out afterwards.
Tempers then flared in the game’s dying moments which led to a momentary scuffle, but thankfully cooler heads prevailed. It finished Ateneo 0-0 FEU, with the Tamaraws perhaps a little aggrieved to not have clinched that solitary goal.
“We expected to have a tough match,” shared FEU coach Vince Santos. “Ateneo’s very organized this season. They also have a threat in the counter. I just wish we could have done better with our chances.”
There is still no word as to who Ateneo (19 points) and FEU (15 points) shall face in the second round.
ADMU XI: Alilam, Arcilla, Baña, Ceniza, Grierson, Haosen, Jarvis, Mathay, Poe, Rocha, Roxas
FEU XI: Andes, Cubon, Deloso, Ferrer, Joyel, Jurao, Menzi M, Menzi A, Monterona, Rayos, Villaseñor
