De La Salle University Green Archers goalkeeper Paeng De Guzman showed why he is one of the best stoppers in the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Football Tournament.
Up against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ potent forward line, the Season 78 Best Goalkeeper made save after save to help the Green Archers earn a 0-0 stalemate, Sunday afternoon at the Far Eastern University-Diliman field.
“I’m not complaining. Ateneo’s a much better team than ours. They’re better players but I think my team held up with their intensity in defense,” said La Salle mentor Hans-Peter Smit who then reiterated that his team’s target is to reach this season’s Final Four. “As you have seen, Ateneo had more dangerous attempts than we had but we held up. That’s a good sign.”
The two schools were on even footing in the first half. La Salle, though, failed to threaten Ateneo goalkeeper Jae Arcilla’s despite its decent showing in the period. As for the Blue Eagles, Julian Roxas forced a routine stop from de Guzman.
Ateneo then could have taken the lead early in the second half courtesy of Jarvey Gayoso. Gayoso intercepted the ball against La Salle defender Noel Brago and the third-year striker eventual shot was parried away by De Guzman. The veteran goalkeeper was forced to work again shortly after as he made another fine stop against Sam Lim’s header.
La Salle never really tested Arcilla. The sophomore stopper just needed to watch as attempts from substitute forward Mateo Alegre and Mathew Custodio failed to hit their intended target. The Blue Eagles then had a late chance to snatch all three points when an unmarked Ryan Haosen headed painfully wide.
In the end, the game finished goalless between both squads. The draw leaves Ateneo at second place with 19 points while La Salle is still at fourth in the standings with 13 points.
“It’s a tough game talaga,” shared Ateneo coach Jay Pee Merida. “Both teams played well. Of course we had a lot of opportunities kanina especially with Jarvey na hindi namin na-convert. Yung naging problema namin is yung finishing.
“Of course I’m happy na rin because we earned one point. Medyo nakaka-frustrate lang kasi yung mga opportunity na nabigay sa amin (nasayang),” he furthered.
Ateneo shall continue its campaign when it takes on Adamson University on March 15, 8:00 AM. On the other hand, La Salle will face Far Eastern University on March 18, 5:00 PM. The Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila will host both games.
