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UAAP: DLSU draws Ateneo in goalless affair

Another La Salle-Ateneo classic went down on the other side of Metro Manila earlier today when the DLSU Men’s Football team took on the ADMU Blue Eagles at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Football field. The contest featured excellent individual performances from each side, although it ended with a scoreless draw after 2 minutes of added time.
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Nathan Alquiros provided the offense for the Taft-based squad, dishing up excellent passes inside the box and also penetrating ADMU’s defensive line with his superb dribbling. Ateneo, on the distaff, relied on fourth year captain Mikko Mabanag who made scoring opportunities for his team with timely passes which almost took the game for the Ateneo. Starting defender Noel Brago of La Salle did not see action during the match with a suspension due to accumulated cards.

A battle of offense
DLSU was slightly ahead in possessions in the first half, as they attacked Ateneo’s defense using their midfield passing strategy in almost every opportunity. ADMU, however, were just as dangerous while taking advantage of the transition and counter attacking before DLSU’s defense recovers.

La Salle had the first crack at the goal at the 3-minute mark when a corner kick taken by Alquiros finds Ian Borromeo whose header went slightly wide from the post. Shortly after, Mabanag made an attempt deep in the box but was saved by DLSU goalkeeper Raphael De Guzman.

Gelo Diamante received a yellow card midway after a dangerous challenge. Ateneo had another near miss with a powerful shot from former De La Salle Zobel standout Emilio Acosta. The shot was deflected by De Guzman and was cleared off by DLSU centerback Nico Villacin.

Stuck at zero
La Salle came out more aggressive during the latter half, commanding the possessions and producing countless opportunities to score. Ateneo also displayed great individual offense, beating DLSU defenders to the ball on one-on-one situations.

On the 50th minute, Rookie Atenean Midfielder Renko Gaudiel had a wide-open shot inside the box but the ball drifted over the crossbar. DLSU Head coach Hans Peter Smit fielded in striker Cristian Zubiri at the 60th minute of the game in hopes to generate a better offense.

From then on, the La Salle-side did all they could to score a probable winning goal but to no avail. Alquiros had multiple opportunities including shots that were on target at the 74th and 88th minute, but these all drifted straight at ADMU’s goalkeeper. Within the last five minutes of the match, Borromeo went down after a hard contest and appeared to have injured his leg, forcing him to be stretchered out of the field.

This match’s outcome is the third draw for the Green-and-White this season, with the other two coming from powerhouse teams FEU and UP. La Salle has two assignments left for the first round of Season 77, the next of which is against a gritty National University squad this coming Wednesday, January 14, at 1 pm in the FEU-Diliman Football Field.
Marion Mamac

By Marion Mamac

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