Ateneo lady booters seize UAAP top spot

ATENEO de Manila is enjoying its best season in UAAP women’s football, boosted by a 1-0 victory over defending champion Far Eastern University at the close of 2013 hostilities last week.

The Lady Eagles, who have yet to win a UAAP crown, lead Season 76 with five points on a 2-2-0 win-draw-loss record.

The Ateneo-FEU clash last Nov. 27 was halted in the 56th minute because of heavy rains. It was re-played on Dec. 20 at FEU-Diliman pitch.

FEU, the champion in three of the last six seasons, has beaten De La Salle and University of Santo Tomas  before losing to Ateneo.

The Lady Tamaraws share second place with the Tigresses with seven points each on identical 2-1-1 records.

FEU, however, has a superior goal difference (+5) over UST (+1) to earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

De La Salle is in fourth place with 4 points on a 1-1-2 record.

University of the Philippines, which scored a 1-1 draw with FEU to highlight its first round campaign, has not tasted victory in 13 matches dating back to Season 74 and rounds out the field (0-1-3).

Hostilities resume on Jan. 12 at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Field with FEU taking on UP at 1 p.m. UST will face La Salle at 3 p.m.

In men’s play, the FEU Tamaraws are on top with a perfect 18 points. They completed a six-game sweep of the first round with a 3-1 beating of the De La Salle Green Archers.