Goalless duel for UP and Ateneo

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Women’s Football Standings

DLSU – 11 pts (+5)

FEU – 10 pts (+6)

UP – 5 pts (-3)

Ateneo – 4 pts (-4) 

UST – 2 pts (-4)

Men's Matches on Sunday at UP Diliman Football Stadium

2 p.m. — Ateneo vs UP 

4:30 p.m. — UST vs AdU 

7 p.m. — UE vs DLSU

Ateneo De Manila University and University of the Philippines battled to a goalless stalemate in the squads’ second-round opener at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.

Goalkeeper Chelssy Casals denied substitute Isalyn Tundag chances late in the match to propel the Blue Eagles to four points, following their 1-0 win over the University of Santo Tomas Lady Booters to close out the first round.

“It was actually a good start for us this second round. We tried to press and take advantage of the loose balls, but, unfornately, ‘yung finishing talaga was a big problem. We cannot score right away; parang it takes time,” said Ateneo head coach Bob Manlulo.

The Blue Eagles started on the right foot with two early chances that went straight to the UP keeper Eunice Eduave, but it was the Fighting Maroons that had better chances with first-round goalscorer Chantal Van Ommeren threatening for a breakthrough.

The scoreline, though, remained at 0-0 at the break, much to Manlulo's delight. He credited the defense anchored on Casals.

“She had good timing and the right anticipation of the whole game. It goes to show that the team wants to improve,” the long-time Ateneo mentor said.

Heading into a rematch with UST next Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Manlulo hopes the squad will do a repeat, saying, “We have to practice how to control our decision-making at the right time, at the right moment. Because football is taking that move at the right time at the right moment.

UP tried to duplicate its first-round win with another late winner, but Hannah Muros’ run to the Ateneo penalty area went for naught as Casals shut the door on the Fighting Maroons.

The season host remained in third place with five points on minus-3 on goal difference will take on defending, back-to-back champion Far Eastern University, also on Saturday at 4 p.m.