Ateneo XI takes opener in UAAP final; baseball, softball games rained out

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo nipped the University of the Philippines, 4-3 (1-1), in a penalty shootout to take Game 1 of the men’s finals in the UAAP football competitions Thursday at the Ateneo Erenchun field.

Yu Murayama tied the score (1-1) at the 83rd minute and hit the game-winning goal in penalty shootout to seal the victory for the Ateneo booters in Game 1 of the best-of-three title series.

“I’m very excited to play here in the finals so I did my best,” said Murayama, who was goalkeeper in the elimination round before being shifted to striker in the finals. “I really wanted to play as a striker. I’m thankful for this opportunity. I guess that’s also part of the adjustment.”

UP’s Vincent Karl Aguilar made a goal in the 34th minute mark for the Fighting Maroons’ 1-0 advantage.

Ateneo struggled offensively in the early part of second half before Murayama received a cross court pass from Chris Sumulong and converted that for the game-tying header with seven minutes remaining.

“Winning game one is a great advantage for us, so we’re hoping to close the series on Sunday,” said Ateneo head coach JP Merida.  

Both teams were also scoreless in the 30-minute added time that sent the match to a penalty shootout.

In women’s finals Game 1, Far Eastern University routed De La Salle University, 5-0.

Heavy rains forced the UAAP to cancel the scheduled softball and baseball finals yesterday to Tuesday, also at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. 

Adamson and National University will dispute the softball crown while NU and Ateneo will clash for the baseball title in a deciding Game 3.

Bad weather also forced the cancelation of the men’s tennis finals between NU and University of Santo Tomas and the women’s tennis playoff between UST and University of the Philippines.