Arellano Makes History, Dumps San Beda for First-ever NCAA Title

From tiebreakertimes.com Website: http://tiebreakertimes.com/tbt/arellano-makes-history-dumps-san-beda-first-ever-ncaa-title/46702 
Written by: Aeron Paul Valderrama

It turned out you can’t mess with destiny.

League-leaders Arellano University Chiefs proved their mettle as they blanked deposed San Beda College Red Booters, 2-0, in their one-off championship match, Tuesday at the historic Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Picking up from where they left off in their final eliminations match, San Beda started to dominate the possession with Nimrod Balabat jumpstarting the attack, only the defense of the Chiefs held. On the other hand, Arellano also had some chances of their own and their aggression paid off with several free kick opportunities, but they could not convert.

With the Red Booters on the offensive, the Chiefs attempted to snatch a chance on the counter attack. A defensive lapse from San Beda was all the gray-shirts needed to mount a scoring chance. At the 34th minute, Charles Gamutan broke free from the defense, swiftly ran into the box, and slotted the ball past Michael Yuviengco for the go-ahead goal. San Beda was not devoid of opportunities for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the half. Nonetheless, Jerome Marzan’s corner kicks would not find its intended target. The Chiefs went into the break with the slim 1-0 lead.

At the second half, San Beda continued to pressure their opponents. At the 53rd minute, Marzan once again, sent the ball into the box, but the defense hounded Stephen Abriol of a clear shot. In the end, Arellano held and denied the Golden Boot awardee another strike.

Arellano again took advantage of another missed pass from the Red Booters’ final third. The goal-scorer Gamutan faced Yuviengco one-on-one, but the speedy forward’s attempt was weak and easily gathered by the Golden Glove awardee. Yuviengco stood his ground in an ensuing play and once again denied a goal from the Chiefs.

The Chiefs seemed to find second wind from those missed opportunities and did not falter in their next big chance at the goal. Jumbeng Guinabang stole the ball from the defense and blasted the ball into the onion bag for the second goal with five minutes left in the match.

San Beda tried to get a goal back, but Arellano was able to delay and ultimately denied the Red Booters their last gasp at scoring. The referee blew the final whistle and the Chiefs celebrated their 2-0 victory and their maiden NCAA men’s football crown after two runner-up finishes.

Arellano Head Coach Ravelo Saluria was proud of what his team has achieved. The mentor shared that he expected they would snare the crown this year. “Malaki talaga yung expectation ko ngayon, kasi medyo nakakuha ako ng players na OK naman, plus yung suporta po ng school namin,” he said.