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Razor-sharp Ateneo mauls wounded UST to remain top of the table unbeaten

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Still perfect. Ateneo are enjoying their hottest start to their season since UAAP 75 with a five star beatdown of UST. (File photo)
By Kevin Estrada

MANILA --  With claws razor sharp as ever, Ateneo de Manila remained unbeaten and on top of the UAAP table, taking another three points after mauling UST to pieces to cap off another week of Men's football here at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Avenging their defeat in the Ang Liga final, the Blue Eagles showed their deadly eye in front of the goal, with Jarvey Gayoso making his case for the league's player of the season early on with a one-goal, two-assist performance in a 5-1 beating of the already wounded and winless Tigers that gave Jaypee Merida it's hottest start to the season for the first time since season 75, as Ateneo remain on top of the table after winning their third straight game.

Ryan Haosen became the fouth Ateneo freshman to get into the scoring act, with Rupert Baña also had a goal and an assist to his credit in a masterclass and second half substitute Paolo Alilam even chipped in a quickfire brace that was made in the final seven minutes of the match.

Last season's golden boot awardee nabbed his fourth goal of the campaign with an outswinging toe-poke to Zaldy Abraham's right in the 10th minute, only to be cancelled out by AJ Pasion from a corner just seconds later.

Pestered by UST's pressing game and pesky defense, Ateneo survived waves of Tiger attacks and eventually regained the lead for good in the 37th minute, with Gayoso turning provider to Haosen's first goal in his UAAP career, as he thumped the volley from the super sophomore's corner kick to make it 2-1 at the half.

Ateneo turned up the heat at the restart and put the match away a minute before the hour mark, with Gayoso notching his second assist when he picked out Baña inside the box and the latter made no mistake in beating Abraham and into the net for 3-1.

Alilam gave Gayoso a well-deserved breather when he came on at the 83rd minute, and wasted no time to make it 4-1 Ateneo seconds after coming on, and completed his brace in added time.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada