That Familiar Winning Feeling

Without a doubt, there were a lot of anxious folks out there last Sunday at the start of the UAAP football tournament. Since Ateneo’s transfer to the UAAP, and before the ascent of the basketball program, the football team has been that one bright torch in varsity sports. They made four consecutive finals appearances in the mid to late 90s winning two (1996 and 1999). Even during the late 80s, the team made the finals before being upset by UP.

By the new millennium, the team made the finals four times and came away with a three-peat (2004-06).

But every team has its own cycle. Last year, in Season 71, the team suffered its worst meltdown that was difficult to explain.
Days before the start of the tournament, the team lost right wing James Arco to an ACL injury. Goalkeeper RS Mantos although by UAAP standards was cleared to play, internally, he was not. Mantos played in Ateneo’s first game against the University of the East but it will be remembered for an own goal when central back Migs Tuason passed back the ball to Mantos who missed clearing it and the ball rolled inside the goal. It was something that rarely happens in the sport and to the several hundred in attendance at the Erenchun Field that day, everyone was stunned. The Red Booters tacked on another goal that gave them a 2-0 win while Ateneo had to bleed for goals and wins. The team finished fifth in the six team competition; an unlikely and sad end to team captain Alvin Perez’ playing days for the blue and white that dated back to his grade school years.

To compound matters, the team lost to academics the two players who arguably had the best performance in the woebegone year – Alejandro Rivera and Miko Manglapus.

“We know there are a lot of question marks about us,” clarified this year’s team captain Gabriel Siojo whose older brother Miguel played on the three-peat squad. “We didn’t let last year pollute our thoughts.”

Season 72 will not just put the Blue Booters to the test but every other team as well. While the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are favored to repeat as champs, just about every other squad will challenge them. “There’s better parity,” noted league Commissioner Jojo Rodriguez who once served as the late Ateneo football coach Chris Monfort’s assistant. “Every team has a chance to win the championship whatever their ranking.”

Ateneo, believe it or not, is seeded fifth. The Maroons are on top followed by FEU, DLSU, and UST. The University of the East Red Warriors, while ranked last because of the graduation of star striker Mark Madrona, still figure to be every bit dangerous. “We have to play every game as if it were an elimination game,” said the Blue Booters’ coach Arnulfo “Ompong” Merida.
The team returns with veterans Gerard Cancio, Fred Ozaeta, Siojo, Arco, Mantos, Choi Kapunan, Mario Marcelo, Luigi Meer, Derrick Candelaria; sophomores Paul Cheng, Anton Amistoso, and Joel Faustino, and rookies Julio Abraham, Keith King, Enzo Bonoan, Miguel Monfort, Tom Cruel, Ranvin Jarina, Carl Llado, and Jacobo Lorenzo.

Cancio, who was incredibly held scoreless last season, and Ozaeta, are the only graduating players. Lorenzo, is the grandson of the late great Luis “Moro” Lorenzo. It would have been quite a sight had Mikko Manglapus, the grandson of the late Ateneo cheerleader and senator of the republic, Raul Manglapus, played alongside Lorenzo. That would have been a nice footnote to the school’s rich history.

“But the best way to make history is to win the championship,” pointed out Merida who admits that he understands his side’s low ranking yet bristles at it.

In the blue and whites’ opening assignment, they faced last season’s losing finalists the FEU Tamaraws who were only missing one vital cog from their roster – the prolific scorer Jovanie Simpron.

After a tense first 15 minutes, the momentum of the game shifted when Ateneo began to home in on the opposing goal. Candelaria muffed a point blank shot but Siojo made good on his attempt. Although FEU equalized several minutes later, the momentum clearly shifted as the Loyolans were clearly getting better chances as they stepped up their attacks.

In the 85th minute, Cancio headed home a nifty indirect free kick by Monfort for the game winner. The sidelines of Erenchun Field erupted in cheers, something not heard much all of last year. “It felt like coming home,” smiled an elated Cancio.

The improbable opening day win put Ateneo on level terms with UP and UST as opening day winners.

“But this is one game,” cautioned Siojo. “We play UP (Wednesday January 20) and La Salle on Sunday (January 24). But this is a great start. Exactly what we needed.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Ateneo team captain Gabriel Siojo notches the first goal of the game and of the season for the blue and white. (Photo by alum Brossi Gonzales)