The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles made it two wins in as many games as they shut down the National University Bulldogs, 3-0, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field, solidifying their grip on first place in the early stages of the Season 79 UAAP men’s football tournament.
The first 10 minutes of the game were electrifying, as both teams went to second gear as soon as the game got going. Having fallen behind in the opening minutes of their game against the University of the East last Saturday, the Bulldogs made sure they would take the first step this time around.
With only three minutes after kick off, Jezer Jalandoni had a crack at the Ateneo defense through a set piece from around 30 yards. The NU midfielder hit the free kick, which Arcilla tipped over the bar for a corner.
In response, Ateneo made their first move on the attack quite dangerously. Jarvey Gayoso had a good chance to take an early lead for the Blue Eagles inside five minutes, but NU goalkeeper Hayeson Pepito read his shot from inside the box well enough to make a save.
Five minutes after, Viray may have felt a bit disappointed as he made a darting run from the left to meet a long ball delivered into the box. Fortunately for Ateneo, the Bulldog sent his header from close range off the mark.
The Bulldogs sought to capitalize midway through the game as Ateneo lost vital cogs Carlo Liay and Iñigo Herrera due to injuries. They had more of the ball but were unable to breach the imposing Ateneo back four.
As a matter of fact, the best chance to break the deadlock went to Ateneo in the 24th minute. Nicking the ball, Sam Lim went on a blazing run midway before setting up Haosen. However, Pepito was alert enough to read the danger and gather the ball.
Approaching halftime, it seemed that the tie would not be broken in the first 45 minutes. Lim had other ideas though as he capped off a quick counter attack with a goal to the Ateneans’ delight.
The moved materialized when Gayoso muscled his way through the NU defense. Commanding attention, the former UAAP juniors’ football MVP set up his rookie teammate who coolly placed the ball into the back of the net.
If the Bulldogs felt terrible at the end of the first half, Coach Mari Aberasturi’s men had a nightmare start to the second half. Things just went from bad to worse as soon as the 46th minute when Ross Lawagan was sent off for a challenge on Julian Roxas inside the box. Gayoso conceded the resulting penalty to cushion the Blue Eagles’ advantage to two.
From there, it looked like a long afternoon for the Bulldogs, as Ateneo threatened to turn it into a rout. Jordan Jarvis came up with two opportunities to add a third goal before the hour mark. His first curled just wide, while the other chance ended with him getting tackled cleanly inside the box.
Then in the 62nd minute, another Atenean made his presence felt in the game. Rupert Baña, who had come on to replace goalscorer Lim, nearly scored his first goal of the season when he latched on a loose ball before striking the post to the relief of the embattled Bulldogs.
Baña had another attempt to make it three for Ateneo in the 74th minute. Set up by Gayoso, the third year player went for a bicycle kick. He didn’t seem to have the best of luck in today’s game, though, as his magnificent move struck the crossbar.
The inevitable third goal eventually came for the Blue Eagles courtesy of Mario Ceniza. The rookie calmly finished a move teed up by Roxas in the 79th minute to make it a commanding 3-0 lead for Ateneo. It stayed that way when the final whistle sounded.
After the game, Coach John Paul Merida admitted that they found it a little difficult to play their game early on. Fortunately for him, his team managed to get a goal right before halftime to ease the pressure.
“Para sa akin, maganda naman kasi maganda ‘yung adjustment noong second half. Na-realize nila na they need to set up so ang ganda kasi from the start pa lang, nakakuha na kami ng penalty,” the Ateneo coach went on to say after his boys found the groove to keep their winning momentum intact.
The Blue Eagles are now eyeing win number three when they face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Booters this Sunday. The 6pm kickoff will take place after NU’s chance to claim their first win this season. The wounded Bulldogs will take on the defending champions University of the Philippines in the 4pm Sunday kickoff.
