The most notable offseason tournament for collegiate football commenced this past weekend at the La Salle-Canlubang campus, with three matches taking place in two days.
Saturday served as the opener for Ang Liga's 15th season, with contrasting results for Ateneo de Manila in the two games.
The first matchup of the season saw Don Bosco Technical College pull out a 3-2 victory over Ateneo's second team.
Jose Antonio Morada's second goal in the 81st minute clinched the upset for the Greywolves. He also scored the opening goal of the second half, around a minute after the restart, giving the lead for DBTC for the first time in the match.
The first half ended 1-1 after Chio Uy of Ateneo and Juan Marco Matriano of Don Bosco canceled things out in a span of five minutes. Uy scored first in the 35th minute, while Matriano equalized at the 40th minute.
Ryan Herrera tied things up once again in the 52nd minute, setting things up for Morada's heroics late.
Don Bosco's head coach TJ Arenal said afterwards, "Actually from the very beginning, we're not only looking for any goal or so, because we have a very young team that is only two months old. I just told them to go with the options, never give up and just enjoy the game."
Unlike their second team in Division II, Ateneo's first team does manage to eke out a victory to kick off Division I play, defeating UST, 1-0 in a rematch of last season's final.
Xavier Alcuaz's 34th minute header proved to be the difference in a tightly-fought match, one that featured an apparent free-for-all.
Said fracas was rooted on a hard foul from Zaldy Abraham to Rupert Baña, that resulted to both benches being cleared. Officials would eventually settle things down and eventually issue red cards to Abraham and Iñigo Herrera of Ateneo. In addition, UST assistant Arman Esteban was also sent off for foul language being directed at said officials.
The Golden Booters had a chance to salvage a draw late, but substitute Blue Eagle keeper Enrique Ortiz stopped Gino Clariño's penalty in second half injury time.
On the lone match scheduled on Sunday, the College of Saint Benilde also snatched a 1-0 victory, defeating UE.
Daniel Liozo scored the lone goal in the 44th minute, scoring from close range for the Blazers.
CSB had their chances early on, but the Frank Rieza and the Red Booters' defense kept them at bay. Once the Blazers had their goal, they relied on Jake Allen Vicen's efforts as their netminder to prevent an equalizer. That, as well as their possession game, ensured all three points head their way.
With CSB head coach Marlon Maro preoccupied with national team duties, assistant coach Alfredo Estacion took over the reins. After the match, Estacion remarked, "Andun pa yung rustiness ng team, because it's our first time to play together since NCAA. Although it's a tight game but we had a lot of good chances to score. Ang kulang talaga is we need to play more games." He added that they started the game slow and they have to fix their finishing problems.
Liozo credited his teammates for the goal, as well as praising Vicen's efforts. He also echoed Estacion's thoughts with regards to their possession game, adding that, " Dapat namin ayusin is yung conversation namin between our teammates, disiplina at fitness talaga."
Ang Liga matches are scheduled to resume this weekend. Schedule details will be revealed when available.
Saturday served as the opener for Ang Liga's 15th season, with contrasting results for Ateneo de Manila in the two games.
The first matchup of the season saw Don Bosco Technical College pull out a 3-2 victory over Ateneo's second team.
Jose Antonio Morada's second goal in the 81st minute clinched the upset for the Greywolves. He also scored the opening goal of the second half, around a minute after the restart, giving the lead for DBTC for the first time in the match.
The first half ended 1-1 after Chio Uy of Ateneo and Juan Marco Matriano of Don Bosco canceled things out in a span of five minutes. Uy scored first in the 35th minute, while Matriano equalized at the 40th minute.
Ryan Herrera tied things up once again in the 52nd minute, setting things up for Morada's heroics late.
Don Bosco's head coach TJ Arenal said afterwards, "Actually from the very beginning, we're not only looking for any goal or so, because we have a very young team that is only two months old. I just told them to go with the options, never give up and just enjoy the game."
Unlike their second team in Division II, Ateneo's first team does manage to eke out a victory to kick off Division I play, defeating UST, 1-0 in a rematch of last season's final.
Xavier Alcuaz's 34th minute header proved to be the difference in a tightly-fought match, one that featured an apparent free-for-all.
Said fracas was rooted on a hard foul from Zaldy Abraham to Rupert Baña, that resulted to both benches being cleared. Officials would eventually settle things down and eventually issue red cards to Abraham and Iñigo Herrera of Ateneo. In addition, UST assistant Arman Esteban was also sent off for foul language being directed at said officials.
The Golden Booters had a chance to salvage a draw late, but substitute Blue Eagle keeper Enrique Ortiz stopped Gino Clariño's penalty in second half injury time.
On the lone match scheduled on Sunday, the College of Saint Benilde also snatched a 1-0 victory, defeating UE.
Daniel Liozo scored the lone goal in the 44th minute, scoring from close range for the Blazers.
CSB had their chances early on, but the Frank Rieza and the Red Booters' defense kept them at bay. Once the Blazers had their goal, they relied on Jake Allen Vicen's efforts as their netminder to prevent an equalizer. That, as well as their possession game, ensured all three points head their way.
With CSB head coach Marlon Maro preoccupied with national team duties, assistant coach Alfredo Estacion took over the reins. After the match, Estacion remarked, "Andun pa yung rustiness ng team, because it's our first time to play together since NCAA. Although it's a tight game but we had a lot of good chances to score. Ang kulang talaga is we need to play more games." He added that they started the game slow and they have to fix their finishing problems.
Liozo credited his teammates for the goal, as well as praising Vicen's efforts. He also echoed Estacion's thoughts with regards to their possession game, adding that, " Dapat namin ayusin is yung conversation namin between our teammates, disiplina at fitness talaga."
Ang Liga matches are scheduled to resume this weekend. Schedule details will be revealed when available.
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