A late goal by Kofi Agyei salvaged a 1-1 draw for last season’s runner-up Ateneo de Manila, avenging their recent Ang Liga final defeat against pre-season champs Adamson University on Sunday’s UAAP football opener in UP Diliman, likewise stalling the Soaring Falcons’ bid for their first post-pandemic UAAP win.

In a combination attack with striker Leo Maquiling, the 6’4” forward from Ghana headed in the winning goal off a Matteo Roxas assist in the 90th minute to avert another Adamson upset.

The Soaring Falcons seemed to duplicate their win in the recent Ang Liga final against the Blue Eagles when Lorent Jayaon flicked in Season 86’s inaugural goal late in the first half for a 1-0 lead.

While Adamson controlled the game through their run-and-gun style in the first half, Ateneo recovered with their more deliberate approach in their passing combinations but a wide open Agyei muffed his shot from the right flank with the ball hitting the right goal post in the 77th minute.

“Kailangang ‘di kami complacent against Adamson because they showed a good game last preseason when we played them in the finals. They are really good in defending, they are very disciplined, and all their players are hardworkers,” commented Ateneo manager JP Merida.

“[Pero] yung midfield nila talagang nawala [in the second half] and that was good for us,” he continued.

Agyei ultimately made up for his earlier miscue in getting his team a tournament point in the very last minute.

“This is the reality about it. This is not Ang Liga anymore. Ateneo came prepared like the UAAP Ateneo,” said Adamson’s rookie manager and last season’s team captain Darlton Digha.

“[But] when I look at the face of our players, I know they will get the wins,” he continued, remarking on bouncing back after a winless Season 85.

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