UAAP: Ateneo dethrones UP for men's football title

(Updated 9:15pm) The neighbors have taken the crown. Just like the first game of the best-of-three series, the Blue Eagles triumphed over the University of the Philippines in the penalty shootout. This time though the score was 4-2, and it was for the Season 75 men's seniors division football title, Sunday at the Moro Lorenzo Field. [Related: Ateneo takes game one from UP in men's football finals] It is Ateneo's first gold since 2006, and it came at the expense of the defending champs. Captain Yu Murayama, the Blue Booters' real-life Ken Wakashimazu once again delivered the killing strike to UP's 3-peat dreams when he took the last kick. "Hindi puwede mag-threepeat ang UP dahil Ateneo lang ang puwedeng mag-3-peat," Ateneo coach Paul Merida told the media. Coach Anto Gonzales, meanwhile, was all praises for his team who reached the finals "the hard way." "Kahit hindi na namin nakuha yung trophy this season, if you look at our road towards the finals, ako I'm really very proud," Gonzales told GMA News Online. Despite UP having more possessions and goal attempts, the finishing left much more to be desired. Ateneo, on the other hand, often waited for holes to launch their counterattacks. But through the scoreless regulation and extra time, keeper Nick O'Donell shined for Ateneo. "It's a great feeling; I worked hard all year long [for this]. I was the back-up keeper to Yu Murayama, the captain. He started in the first games," said the tournament's best goalkeeper and most valuable player. "Having these individual awards mean so much to me." Teammates Mikko Mabanag and Carlo Liay were named best midfielder and rookie of the year respectively. Recognition for best striker and best defender meanwhile were respectively awarded to FEU's Jesus Melliza and DLSU's Gregor Yang Deo Segunial, former UAAP best defender, on the other hand, is looking forward after playing his final year with UP as captain. "Meron pa akong UFL, sa Pachanga-Diliman, excited ako doon. Tapos subukan ulit natin sa U-23," said the 22-year-old booter. ADMU's Game 2 win was their third straight penalty shootout win, after hurdling rivals DLSU in the Final Four by a 4-3 score. - AMD/RAF, GMA News