UAAP Season 86 — Men’s Football : 1st round Stats and Things

The second round of UAAP Football starts today, but here are some things I have for the first round:

I started working as a football commentator analyst last year (Season 85). This is my second year doing this and I’ve been able to cover a good amount of games this season, so I thought I’d share some of the stats and thoughts throughout the first half of the season for men’s football.

Disclaimer: The stats used were taken by myself, Claro Manzano and based off of the official UAAP match reports. I haven’t been able to watch every single game and I’m just doing this for fun and maybe help add some more insight for this football season, so if I’ve made some mistakes, bare with me.

1. BEST XI (after 1st round)

Formation: 4–4–2

It was a hard decision on whether to go with the 4–4–2 or 4–3–3, but ultimately decided to go with the 4–4–2 in order to add all the attacking talent. Again, this is just for the first half of the season and my thoughts on who have been the better performing players so far. I took into account the games played, starts, attacking and defensive contributions as needed.

GK : Artuz Cezar (Ateneo)

Despite his smaller size compared to the rest of the keepers in the tournament, he has kept 3 clean sheets after 6 games. It helps to have the current best defense as well, where Ateneo has conceded 6 goals, which is the least amount of goals amongst all the teams so far. He has faced 3 penalties and saved 1 of them. He’s got good ball handling and comes out well to claim crosses as needed. His ball distribution is decent as well.

Notable mentions: Icko Mangaoang (DLSU), Jet Fabrigas (FEU)

RB : Wilmer Lopez (Ateneo)

This was probably the hardest position to figure out, but I appreciate the versatility that he brings to Ateneo. Last year, they played a 3–5–2 and he was one of the wingbacks in that formation. Had a few goals and assists as well. The shift to a 4–3–3 has but him a bit farther back than last year but that lets him focus on the defensive side of his game. He has come up solid against most wingers so far. He seems comfortable playing at right or left back and doesn’t mind doing what defenders need to do first. Defend.

Notable mentions: Robbie Cruel (DLSU), Liam Lampayan (UP)

RCB : Charles Lobitaña (UP)

To put it simply, he is solid. Despite not being the tallest center back, he reads the game well. Not afraid to challenge for headers or put a big tackle in but he’s got the composure you want for you central defender. If you notice his defensive headers aren’t just clearance headers, they’re passes or at least in the direction of a teammate with a high probability of keeping the ball. I’m probably being slightly biased because I can appreciate smaller central defenders that make up for their smaller height with a higher football IQ.

Notable mentions: Arjay Buenaobra (ADU), Mel Baylon (FEU)

LCB : Jose Lopez (Ateneo)

The third Atenean on the list so far. A little hard to type as a Lasallian but I’m trying to be as impartial as I can for the sake of the football. Again, part of the Atenean backline that has kept 3 clean sheets and conceded only 6 goals. The 4–2 loss vs FEU was definitely their worst defensive performance so far, but Ateneo’s style has really been to sit back a bit, absorb the pressure and let their attackers worry about scoring on the transition. If this is what they’re instructed to do, the Ateneo captain leads his backline exactly as need. Doesn’t hurt to score 2 goals so far this season against FEU and UP either.

Notable mentions: Frank Labayen (DLSU), Viejay Frigillano (FEU)

LB : Emilio Bongolan (UP)

Despite mainly being positioned at left back, he basically plays like a left winger. He’s a natural left footed player and has some great delivery when he’s able to send those crosses in. UP’s switch from a 4–4–2 to a 3–5–2 will really bring out his best qualities. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a few more assists in the 2nd round.

Notable mentions: JP Bengay (DLSU), Dexter Casing (ADU)

CM : Macky Tobias (UP)

He went from Center back last year to central midfielder this year. Not too surprising given how comfortable he is on the ball. You would have thought last year that he was a #6 covering at center back as needed. He adds a defensive nuisance to opponents in the midfield and can be awkward to deal with when he comes into the box with the late runs from midfield. He scored UP’s first goal vs FEU. Won a penalty that could have brought the score to 3–2, but unfortunately it was saved.

Notable mentions: Marc Alipoon (FEU), Vince Parpan (UP)

CM : Martini Rey (FEU)

4 goals and 1 assist in 5 games. That’s a goal involvement in every game he has played so far. One of the oldest players in the tournament this year, he has shown the experience and composure that a lot of players will look to develop in the coming years.

Notable mentions: Edmar Adonis (UE), Archie Belluga (UST)

RW : Karl Absalon (FEU)

Last season’s rookie of the year is currently at 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches. He started 4 and subbed on in 2. He’s a modern day winger that can play on the outside and drive to the goal line or he can cut in and combine with players on the inside. He’s got some good feet and decent eye for goal.

Notable mentions: Francis Tacardon (UP)

LW : Leo Maquiling (Ateneo)

The man is just a work horse. He roams freely for Ateneo in attack, but is more than willing to help out on defense for his team. Despite not having a goal yet so far this season (I hope our stats are right), he has contributed with 4 assists. It helps that he is Ateneo’s designated set piece taker for free kicks, corner kicks and yes, the iconic long throw in for the man that wears the long sleeves. He dribbles with speed and aggression, which can be both good and bad.

Notable mentions: Mo Almohjili (DLSU), Khent Valenzuela (FEU)

ST : Kofi Agyei (Ateneo)

The gigantic Ghanaian has improved so much since last season, where he was just very tall and very awkard to play against. Now he is still very tall and even more awkward to play against. His touch is much better now and he’s not just someone you can kick a ball up high to and know he’s gonna win the header, he’s added so much more to his game and has been a pain for defenders to deal with this season. Already has 6 goals in 6 games and will probably be more for the rest of the season.

Notable mentions: Ramil Bation (UP)

ST : Engatte Anoh (DLSU)

The man from the Ivory Coast is currently tied with Kofi as top scorer with 6 goals. He isn’t the tallest player but he is strong. Sometimes I don’t know how but he’ll figure out a way to force his way through if needed. He scored the late equalizer against Ateneo in the last match of the first round and scored another outrageous goal vs UP. To put this into context, DLSU has scored 8 goals in 6 matches. Anoh has scored 6 of those 8 goals.

Notable mentions: Tarshish Garciano (UST), Nykos Mamon (FEU)

2. BEST XI — Rookie Edition (after 1st round)

I’m defining a rookie as a player playing their first year in the UAAP this season. There are a total of 61 rookies this season out of 138 players. That’s 44% of all players and here are the ones that have stood out so far.

Formation: 4–3–3

Went with the more commonly used 4–3–3 as it suits all the players on the list and just made sense.

GK : Alfonso Gonzalez (UP)

The rookie GK that came from De La Salle Zobel is the keeper with the most starts and appearances so far this season with 5. He started the first 4 matches for UP, then came on as a sub for the injured Ryan Tiambeng in their last match against Adamson. Came up big with a massive penalty save to keep the score at 3–2 and hold on for their 4th win of the season.

RB : Christian Santilices (Ateneo)

One of the many Ateneo high school products in their squad has played all 6 games for Ateneo. He came on as a sub for the first two matches, then started the next 4 games. He’s helped keep that Ateneo back 4 stable with those 3 clean sheets, where he started 2 of those games.

Notable mentions: Mark Maghinay (UE)

RCB : Frank Labayen (DLSU)

Not the tallest nor the biggest but the 20-year old from Bacolod has brought an unprecedented amount of composure to the La Salle back line. He has started all 6 matches for DLSU and only came off once due to injury. They have the 2nd best defense conceding only 7 goals but the confidence he has to be able to take on defenders and beat the press is one of his best qualities.

Notable mentions: Jarred Regis (UST)

LCB : John Selarde (UST)

The UST back 4 that has started most games is mostly rookies. They were given a baptism of fire by Coach Marjo not for fun but out of necessity and he has stepped up well. He’s also got the confidence and composure similar to Labayen but is also left footed (I hope I’m not wrong, maybe he’s just comfortable with both).

LB : Francis Vercide (UST)

He has started all 6 matches for UST and has played all the minutes. That’s how much he’s trusted to play and shows some solid displays in his first playing year. There are some tricky wingers to go against so we’ll see how well he does for the rest of the season.

CDM: Carlo Bautista (Ateneo)

6 starts in 6 matches and has also picked up an assist so far. The Ateneo high school grad has had some big boots to fill for Szymon Mercado who held down that midfield for Ateneo last season.

Notable mentions: Jed Bode (UP)

CM: Jan Baito (UST)

He has appeared in all 6 matches for UST so far this season. 3 starts and subbed on 3 times. He scored in that 6–1 win over UE and it was a rocket of a left foot.

Notable mentions: Jake Tupaz (UE)

CM: Adri Caraig (UP)

He’s only started one match for UP but has come on for 5 to play all 6 games so far. No goals or assists yet but you can see he’s one of the most technical players in the UP lineup. He likes to roam around and can find himself on the wings a lot. He’s not afraid to take players but he should probably shoot more.

RW: Ramil Bation (UP)

He mainly plays as the striker for UP but their front 3 tend to rotate a lot anyway, plus it’s how I fit him on this line up. The kid is good. He’s not the typical UP style of striker who is big and is really a target man type of player. 6 starts, 5 goals and 1 assist. No brainer.

ST: Nykos Mamon (FEU)

5 starts, 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 matches and he’s just getting started. Him coming into the team has allowed Martini Rey to move into the #10 role for FEU and it’s worked out pretty well for them so far. Being a bigger kid, he takes the attention away from Martini and allows FEU to really show their attacking quality.

LW: Chris Valderama (UST)

6 starts, 2 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches. Not bad at all. He scored the winner against Adamson. It was a cross that went in, let’s be honest but don’t let that take from the fact that he has a very long shooting range. He can shoot with power with both feet but needs to get his shot off quicker. It takes a bit long for him to wind up but when he gets it right, he can get it right. Even covered at left back against FEU because of injured.

3. Stats and things

Total Game Minutes

UP v Adamson had the most amount of added time with 11 minutes mainly due to the injury of UP keeper Ryan Tiambeng, but it’s interesting to see that most teams are pretty even over added time except UE.

Played All the Minutes

This is just a list of players that have played all 6 matches and have never been subbed out. As seen, all players are crucial to their teams and explains why they’re not taken out.

Number of Rookies

As mentioned above, there are a total of 61 rookies out of 138 players this season. That’s 44% and just under half of the entire pool of players.

Penalty Kicks

I knew something was going on with penalty kicks after seeing the first two awarded this season being saved and kept note of it throughout the season. I hope my tally is correct but here’s what I’ve found so far. 10 penalty kicks given but only 4 have been scored. That’s poor conversion rate given most penalty kicks are expected to go in. Only one spot kick was missed as Viejay Frigillano hit it over the crossbar vs Ateneo. But it is also important to note that 5 of those 10 have been saved and by saved, the GK has blocked it.

Penalty Kicks saved:

• Cezar (Ateneo) v Banagodos (ADU)
• Fabrigas (FEU) v Tobias (UP)
• Nalog (ADU) v Almohjili (DLSU)
• Pamati-an (UE) v Fr. Tacardon (UP)
• Gonzalez (UP) v Mahinay (ADU)

Hopefully when I have more time, I’ll be able to go over all of it and maybe deep dive to see if these were poorly taken penalties or just keepers coming in clutch for their teams.

So these are just some things I thought I’d share after 21 matches in Men’s football. I hope to finish this out and come up with something similar once the season is over. Again, most of the data was taken manually by myself. Tried to reference the videos, replays and match reports to be as accurate as possible.

Side note: If you wanna help me out, hit me up.

End.