University of the Philippines showed Season 73 bottom dweller Ateneo de Manila University how a defending champ opens a new football season Saturday with a 2-0 victory against the hosts.

Meanwhile, one goal was enough for runner-up University of Santo Tomas to seal a win vs Far Eastern University.

Here’s our recap in photos.

Facing last season’s top placer, Ateneo booters go down on their knees in prayer for what seems to be a miraculous result.

Central defender Juan Miguel Roy found himself free inside the box and slotted in the game’s first goal from Jinggoy Valmayor’s corner kick in the 23rd minute. Here, he celebrates with teammate Deo Segunial.

Despite his team being ahead by one goal, UP coach Anto Gonzales shows worry and apprehension regarding his team’s performance by the end of the 1st half.

Things start getting interesting as ADMU’s primary goalkeeper and co-captain Rufino Mantos loses his cool and runs toward a group of jeering spectators before turning his attention back to the ball game.

During a slight altercation, the hot-tempered Mantos rushes to the aid of his teammates, who try to keep him at bay to avoid aggravating the situation.

Due to his behavior (and for throwing a rock), Mantos is shown a yellow card as he immediately voices out his complaints to the referee.

A few moments later, a frustrated Mantos lashes out at UP’s Raymark Fernandez inside the box as they struggle to get the ball.

The Davao-native was slapped with a red card in the 80th minute, which garners an automatic two-game suspension in the UAAP tournament.

Nii Aryee Ayi easily slotted the penalty kick past Ateneo’s second keeper. He applauds the UP crowd, who cheers on him for giving UP its second goal.

In an earlier game, UST’s Christian de Juan’s goal was enough for last year’s second place finishers to start the season on a winning note.

This is de Juan getting doused with bromance by his ecstatic teammates.

DLSU and UE’s match ended with a draw. Ateneo and DLSU’s women’s teams also saw the same result, together with UP versus UST and UE vs FEU in the female division.

Here’s the complete photoset.

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Report and photos by Ericka Alcantara and Ronin Bautista. More photos can be viewed on our Facebook page.