The University of the Philippines (UP) found a miracle before the Holy Week break as Kamea Mangrobang skied and goaled a Hail Mary from far right in the second half stoppage time as the Lady Maroons escaped with a 1-0 squeaker over Ateneo de Manila Saturday in the UAAP women’s football tournament at State U.
The goal came after a paltry offensive night for both teams that struggled all game long for decent shots.
UP’s Anya Fuentes tried an attacking run to end the first half but her soft strike was ably deflected by Ateneo goalkeeper Adrielle Lee.
It was Ateneo that had the best shot on goal but the early runner by Soleil Schroth thumped the top crossbar in the 48th minute as the ball landed inches in front of the goal line.
UP goalkeeper Frances Acelo recovered the ball thereafter as UP regained possession.
UP had another try in the 66th minute but Mangrobang skied her rebounding strike of Lee’s spill.
The ball occupied the midfield for much of the remaining time until Mangrobang took a prayer in the game’s first minute of stoppage time, with her volley too high for Lee’s block attempt yet low enough to clear the crossbar and hit the net.
Despite the win, UP head coach Anto Gonzales acknowledged the weaknesses of his team and the strength of the opponent.
“Ateneo wanted it more. We had the lucky goal, but Ateneo deserved at least a point,” Gonzales said after the game.
“To be honest, we cannot be happy with the win,” Gonzales continued. “Maybe factor also that we put in some new players, tried out a different formation in the hopes of scoring more but players playing out of position — that’s on me.”
The game, though, was without controversy as Ateneo assistant coach Jeff Lobotan was booked with a red card after an apparent charge and continuous complaining on the referee.
The Ateneo bench argued for a UP handball in the build-up to Mangrobang’s goal that could have erased UP’s point.
“We had chances but it’s just that one, I don’t know, we call it referee’s mistake or miscall that turned things again,” lamented Ateneo coach Robert Manlulo after the game. “But we already, according to our game plan, were trying to hold UP and then just go for a counterattack. During the game we had some successful attacks and starting the second half, we had an almost goal that hit the post,”
“The girls are fired up now,” he added.
Furthermore, Ateneo had a scare as wing-back Traci Lim suffered an apparent concussion by the 70th minute.
“Traci Lim had a hard fall. Her head hit the ground,” Manlulo explained. “After the accident she had some memory loss, so she could not comprehend our instructions. It may be a concussion.”
With the win, the Lady Maroons surged to the top of the standing with ten points off three wins, one draw, and one loss.
The Lady Eagles, on the other hand, suffered their fifth loss and are still yet to goal in Season 85.
