MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University earned its first point in the UAAP Season 86 women's football tournament following a 2-2 draw against University of the Philippines, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Angely Alferez converted a penalty in the 76th minute to secure the draw for the Blue Eagles.

Angely Alferez was the hero in Ateneo's 2-2 draw against UP in the UAAP Season 86 women's football tournament, March 16, 2024 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media

This marks the first time that Ateneo has claimed a point in UAAP women's football since battling to a 1-1 draw against UP all the way back on May 8, 2019, in Season 81. Despite the result, they remain at the bottom of the table with one point and a minus-13 goal difference.

"Sobrang sarap kasi ang feeling po yung hardwork ng team ay nabuhayan po," said Alferez. "Hindi ko po yun goal. Goal po yun ng buong team. Sobrang happy po ako sa performance ng team po."

KC Zalamea gave the Blue Eagles the lead just seven minutes into the match, only for Aurea Reaso to equalize in the 19th minute. Drea Montilla put the ball at the back of the net in the 37th minute to give the lead to the Fighting Maroons.

But UP also missed some opportunities to pad their lead, notably from Kamea Mangrobang and Hannah Muros. They paid for it late when Ateneo drew a foul inside the box and Alferez coolly stepped up for the spot kick.

"We tried to prepare for this one for so many seasons just to get this one point to be in the tournament atmosphere," said coach Bob Manlulo. "For the past two seasons, we're always at the bottom. But at this time, the players proved themselves that they can do it despite all of the adversities and the team roster that we have."

Ateneo will finish the first round and try to build on this result against University of Santo Tomas this Saturday at 6:30 p.m at the same venue.

On the other hand, UP remained in third place with four points and a minus-2 goal difference behind one win, one draw and one defeat. The Fighting Maroons will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws this Saturday at 4 p.m. on the same pitch.