DESPITE the stellar play of a returning key player, the UST Growling Booters lost steam in the crucial stages of the game to settle for a 1-1 draw against the Ateneo Blue Booters last Oct.30 at the Ateneo field.
Growling Booter Rodney Leyble, who sat out last year’s football competitions due to academic deficiencies, made a big splash in his return to action as he fired a goal straight to the Ateneo defense in the 11th minute to give UST the lead early in the first half.
After Leyble’s goal, the Espana-based Booters pressed on the Ateneo offense as goalie Eric Legaspi prevented an attempt by Ateneo striker Robert De Vera in the 26th minute.
With their minds set on putting their opponents away early in the match, Growling Booter Roevans Batobalani attempted a kick that was blocked by Ateneo goalie Carlo Lorenzo.
Action heated up in the 37th minute as UST’s Randy Leyble injured his foot after a collision with Blue Booter Christopher Ingles.
In the second half, UST’s Antonni Cesar Tano broke away from his defenders but his attempt was easily blocked by Ateneo goalie Lorenzo in the 47th minute.
The Loyola-based Booters tried to level the count with Carlos Leus at the firing end but UST’s Froilan Ambrocio foiled his aggressive attack.
In the 71st minute, Ateneo’s Paolo Aquino almost scored on the UST defense with his quick cross, but it met a rightly-timed interception by Growling Booter goalie Legaspi.
With a wildly cheering Ateneo crowd behind them, the Blue Booters finally leveled the count as Leus hit paydirt with a goal over Legaspi’s outstretched arms in the 80th minute.
Both teams exchanged tough defensive sets as they tumbled and fumbled on their way to a draw.
UST’s Batobalani tried a final crack at a goal but Ateneo goalie Lorenzo foiled his attempt as Ateneo held on to a draw against their highly-touted rivals. Darrell I. Dizon
