Coming from a tough loss in last season’s finals, it was imperative for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to kickstart their UAAP Season 79 Men’s Football Tournament run with a win.
That win arrived as the Blue Eagles defeated a tough Adamson University Soaring Falcons squad 4-0 tonight at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Javier Gayoso (4′, 71′), Iñigo Herrera (57′), Samuel Lim (67′) provided the goals for the Blue Eagles.
“First half medyo yung players ko siguro naman nakita nila na naglaro (sila) nang kanya-kanya because of the UAAP. Ang maganda nung second half they realized they have to play as a team, as a unit, as an Ateneo player,” commented Blue Eagles coach JP Merida.
Gayoso led the Blue Eagles from the front and he immediately tested Adamson goalie Carl Viray who made a good save. However, Gayoso wasn’t to be denied at the 4th minute when he breezed past the Soaring Falcons defense to calmly score for the Ateneans.
Viray proved to be a constant obstacle for the Blue Eagles as he denied the Blue Eagles, most notably Gayoso, numerous times. Adamson, though, proved to be a stingy opponent as Bless Brian II Jumo tried to capitalize on an Ateneo defensive error, but rookie goalie Jae Arcilla made a routine stop.
The Soaring Falcons’ best chance in the period came to Bless Brian I Jumo who, after some good passing play with his teammates, found himself free in the Blue Eagles’ box only for him to shoot wide.
Ateneo deservedly accrued a 1-0 cushion at the break, although the Blue Eagles would have been quite disappointed to not score more goals against the Soaring Falcons.
After the break, a more clinical Ateneo emerged from the dugout. There was more incision in the Blue Eagles’ attack and they finished off chances in the second half. Adamson lost its’ sturdiness and Ateneo was more than willing to pounce.
Herrera signaled Ateneo’s intentions when he unleashed a shot which went narrowly over the Adamson’s goal. The rookie, though, wasn’t to be denied when he unleashed a free kick which rattled the crossbar and went into the Soaring Falcons’ goal at the 57th minute.
Adamson turned meek and the Soaring Falcons were susceptible to defensive errors. At the 67th minute another Blue Eagle rookie, Lim, casually dribbled circles against the Soaring Falcons to make it 3-0.
Gayoso wasn’t done yet. Amidst the Blue Eagles’ dominance, the former Blue Eaglet created a goal-of-the-year contender when he waived off his teammates, went solo and released a longshot which went past Adamson goalie Viray at the 71st minute for Ateneo’s fourth goal in the game.
It ended Ateneo 4-0 Adamson and the Katipunan school were good value for the win. The Blue Eagles got the dream start in what could be another run at the championship.
Up next for ADMU will be National University on February 5, 2:00 PM at the Moro Lorenzo Field in the former’s campus. In contrast, Adamson shall face Far Eastern University on February 11, 4:00 PM in Rizal Memorial.
“It’s like a championship (clash) every game. We need to prepare against NU. Siguro this Thursday we need to win because it’s important and it’s our pitch so we need to play well talaga in front of the Ateneo community,” Merida remarked about the match
Ateneo XI: Arcilla, Ceniza, Gayoso, Grierson, Herrera, Jarvis, Liay, Lim, Poe, Rocha, Roxas
Adamson XI: De Guzman, Feliciano, Jumo I, Jumo II, Martin, Meliza, Pilarca, Rabino, Ramos Lee, Ramos Paul, Viray
