Ateneo tops UP on Bicierro winner

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women's Football Tournament Standings
FEU 9 pts (+9)
DLSU 9 pts (+(4)
UST 3 pts (-1)
Ateneo 3 pts (-4)
UP 0 pts (-8)

Men's Matches tomorrow at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
2 p.m. - DLSU vs UP
4:30 p.m. - UST vs Ateneo
7 p.m. - UE vs AdU

Jada Bicierro scored the decisive goal in the second half to give Ateneo de Manila University a 1-0 victory over the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

The former national futsal standout finished a well-executed counterattack, turning in a precise delivery from Celina Salazar in the 53rd minute to break the deadlock and hand the Blue Eagles their first win of the season.

Bicierro — now with two goals this season after scoring in back-to-back matches — lifted Ateneo to fourth place with three points and a goal difference of -4, just behind University of Santo Tomas, which has a -1 GD.

"I guess, just like what we did in Ang Liga (against the same team), I told the players to be patient and just get the right timing on the counterattack because UP has a good defensive line. So, we used our advantage with Jada Bicierro, who can really outrun them. I think that was the key to win today," said long-time head coach Bob Manlulo of his side’s breakthrough victory.

The two sides will vie for sole possession of third place in Saturday’s opening match at 4 p.m., when action resumes at the UP Football Stadium in Diliman, Quezon City.

“UST is a highly physical team, and we have to be on par with them. We have to put the mentality to the girls that football is a physical contact game and we have to really fight for each ball, just to win that game," Manlulo said, previewing their clash against the Lady Booters.

Bicierro’s goal was a reward for Ateneo’s resilient defensive stand and its sharp transitions on the counterattack, with Bicierro and Salazar providing the spark. Soleil Schroth had the Blue Eagles’ biggest chance in the opening period when her 37th-minute shot went just over the bar.

For the Fighting Maroons, the result did not reflect their dominance, especially in the first half. Jazi Borra and Isalyn Tundag made strong runs but failed to find the back of the net.

Erisa Rivas also had her moments off the bench in the second half but could not prevent UP from slipping to a fourth straight defeat to close the first round.