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UAAP Football: Ateneo Men, FEU ladies are champs

Game recaps of the concluding matches of the Men's and Women's senior Football competitions played Sunday at the Moro Lorenzo Field in Ateneo de Manila.

Men's Game 2: Ateneo 0, UP 0 AET, Ateneo wins PSO 4-2.

Some might call it winning ugly, but for Ateneo, the victory couldn't have been more beautiful.

The Blue Booters swept both games of a possible Best-of Three series to win the UAAP Men's Senior Football competition for the first time since 2006.

Once again it was Yu Murayama who booted in the winning kick in the shootout, just as he had done in Game 1 of the series. The shootout was necessitated by after 120 minutes of scoreless play.

The reserve goalkeeper-turned field player sent his attempt into the high left corner of the goal, past UP shootout specialist keeper Tyrone Caballes in the top of the fifth round of the penalty shootout.

As soon as the ball burst the net, Ateneo fans spilled onto the field and celebrated with the team.

While winger Mikko Mabanag was named Man of the Match, the real heroes for Ateneo were the boys on defense; Wilson Marcelino and Luis Mendoza in the middle, Enzo Bonoan and Migz Tuazon on the wings.

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With the help of the midfield, this back four put the clamps on UP's Jinggoy Valmayor, sticking to him like glue all game long and limiting him to just two shots on goal according to my notes.

Valmayor had scored fourteen goals this season going into the match but couldn't get his fifteenth when UP needed it most.

We were told to keep close and just be there. Wait for his moves, don't react too much. Just wait for him to make a mistake” explained Marcelino.

Mendoza started in place of Jico Noel, who was suspended after two yellows in the first game.

When asked to comment on the pay of his rookie centerback defense partner, Marcelino said “it was all heart.”

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The game was an attritional, close-to-the-vest encounter with few real telling chances for either side.

Ateneo's Val Calvo had numerous chances for the Blue Booters in the first half but they were mostly speculative.

UP's Michael Sims took a chance with a 35-yard bomb ten minutes before the half but it went straight to keeper Nick O'Donnell.

UP had a legitimate penalty shout six minutes into the second half when Valmayor seemed to be felled by Marcelino in the box, but referee Roel Emnas motioned to play on.

Ateneo's Carlo Liay almost connected with a free kick in the 75th and 83rd minutes but both shots flew inches above the bar.

Just before regulation time ended, UP's Nino Muros and Sims tried their luck to no avail.

Extra time failed to produce a score and UP coach Anto Gonzales sent in players in preparation of the shootout, introducing Evanjames Mendoza and replacing regular keeper Ace Villanueva with super senior Ty Caballes, as he had done in Game 1.

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UP were behind the eightball early on when first UP kicker Evanjames Mendoza hooked his attempt wide left of the goal and in the next round, Boiboi Fernandez's shot was smothered by O'Donnell, all while Ateneo's Eric Figueroa and Calvo stroked home.

Mabanag and Valmayor both scored in the third round and UP were given hope when Liay skied his attempt. The Italy-raised Liay also missed a kick in the Game 1 shootout.

Feb Baya forced a fifth round with his kick for UP to make it 3-2, but when Murayama buried his shot past Caballes, UP's fate was sealed.

All this season long we have had to deal with adversity” said Gonzales. “This season has been a test of character and to make the finals was good” he added.

UP did not look like a contender this year after losing to FEU 3-0 in the first round.

But a 94th minute winner from Valmayor in the final game of the second round against DLSU got them into a playoff for the 2nd seed with FEU. The Maroon Booters won the playoff 2-0, lost 5-1 in the first game of the semifinals proper, only to put away the Tams in the next game 2-1 in extra time.

Ateneo returns to glory with a young and hungry squad. O'Donnell took the Goalkeeper of the Year plum, while Mabanag was named best midfielder and Carlo Liay, the team's leading scorer, was adjudged rookie of the year.

It's also a winning debut season for coach JP Merida, a veteran of the 2004-2006 threepeat. Merida took a team that finished second-to-last in 2012 and brought them a title.

Women's Game 2: FEU 2, DLSU 0.

With a style of play many teams attempt but few employ successfully, the Lady Tams have won it all.

FEU gained the Season 75 women's crown after beating La Salle 2-0 in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series on Sunday.

Barbie Ann Sobredo opened the scoring with a 34th minute goal from the penalty spot after La Salle defender Toni Nolasco handled the ball in the box.

At the hour mark Loreta “Etang” Ladero sealed the win by rifling the ball into the top of the net past national team keeper Inna Palacios.

Letlet Dimzon's squad mesmerized the crowd with numerous passing sequences that were previously unseen in Pinoy Women's Football.

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Another play that was indicative of FEU's technical advantage: Sharmaine Siatong's shot, straight to Palacios, in the 70th minute off a lovely backheel from Ladero.

Jessa Sumagpao, Analou Amita, and Alesa Dolino are only a few of the FEU ladies who are blessed with amazing skills.

DLSU saw a heady performance from Regina Metillo, who was close on a few long shots. The Lady Archers' best chance came just before the half when Chermaine Guancia fired from an acute angle only for Tams keeper Mae Sullano to fend it off the post.

La Salle responded well from their 5-0 game one thrashing with a hard-nosed defensive effort led by Nolasco, who won the Rookie of the Year award, and captain Miel Ampil, who played her last game for La Salle in her fifth year.

FEU took the lion's share of the individual awards too. Graduating captain Mea Bernal got the Best Defender award, Ladero picked up the Best Midfielder plum, and Sobredo, with seven goals for the season, won Best Striker.

Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.