While the UST Golden Booters’ offense became a threat to their foes in the second round of eliminations, it’s their defense that will be put to the test in the Final Four against the top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles.
According to UST head coach Marjo Allado, for the Golden Booters to survive the top-seeded squad, they will have to iron out their defensive lapses, which the Blue Eagles can easily exploit.
“Ang problema talaga namin is defending. Kasi, look at us in the second round, may mga games na sandali lang, ang dami agad naming napapamigay na goals,” Allado told the Varsitarian.
“These are defending errors e. Marami kaming ganyan na hindi talaga namin puwedeng gawin sa Ateneo. Alam naman natin gaano kagaling sila every time na bigyan lang ng kaunting butas,” he added.
In their second-round campaign, the Golden Booters gave up 15 goals compared to the nine they scored. They have not secured a win since their second-round opener against DLSU (2-1) over a month ago.
UST has not won a game against Ateneo this season, losing both its elimination matches (2-0, 3-2) to the resurgent Blue Eagles, who significantly improved after finishing in fourth last season.
Season 87 scoring leader Dov Carino and forward Leo Maquilling have been instrumental to Ateneo’s rise, as the Blue Eagles notched nine wins in 12 games.
With their performances, Carino and Maquilling have also been included in the Philippine Men’s Football National Team roster for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup this month.
“Talagang challenge ‘yong lineup ng Ateneo. But, tingnan natin sa semifinals, kasi babalik naman yung dalawang naming center backs para ma-contain sila,” he said, referring to TJ Garciano and Chris Valderrama, who sat out UST’s final elimination match on Dec. 1.
Allado stressed that the Golden Booters couldn’t afford to let up on defense if they are keen on upsetting Ateneo.
“Sa football, kahit five minutes [lang] na nag-collapse ka, patay ka,” he said.
“Ang motivation namin is bantayan sila. Ang gagaling kasi ng Ateneo. Pero, may mga nakatago naman tayo so sana sa semifinals maka-execute kami nang paayos and makagulat kami.”
The UST Golden Booters will begin their semifinals campaign against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
