With the dreaded penalty shootout looming, Ramil Bation III became the hero University of the Philippines desperately needed.
In the 127th minute of a grueling Final Four clash at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Bation delivered a perfectly placed free kick that slipped past the La Salle defense, sending the UP gallery into a frenzy and punching the Fighting Maroons’ ticket to the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament championship.
The solitary goal secured a 1–0 victory and propelled UP to its second final in three seasons.
“Inisip ko nung free kick na yun ta-take ko lang siya kasi last minute na,” Bation shared. “Lahat kami ng teammates ko iba-iba na yung nararamdaman kasi last minute na yun (at) papunta na sana sa penalty shootout. Pero di kami sumuko. Nilagay namin yung utak at puso namin sa game and di namin binabaan standards namin.
“Pasalamat ako sa mga teammates at coaches ko kasi ang laki ng tiwala na binigay nila sakin kahit anong mangyari sa game. Saluhan kami sa loob.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The physical toll was clear throughout the 127 minutes, with players from both teams cramping and battling fatigue. In matches like these, it’s the athletes who rise under pressure who make the difference—and Bation delivered when it mattered most.
“Tinitignan ko lang yung mga mata ng mga teammates ko. Kami naman lahat nagtratrabaho sa loob ng field,” said the 21-year-old midfielder from Dipolog City.
“Nakikita ko sila pagod na pagod, nagsasakripisyo — yun yung nakakawala ng pagod ko.”
The victory also carried extra meaning for UP, which suffered a heartbreaking semifinal exit last season at the hands of eventual champions FEU Tamaraws.
That disappointment fueled the Fighting Maroons’ disciplined run this season, finishing atop the standings with 29 points from nine wins, two draws, and a single defeat.
“Ang sarap sa feeling na makabalik kami sa finals. Coming from last season na talo kami, ayaw namin mangyari yung feeling na yun ulit. Deserve namin mag-finals,” added Bation.
Even with the emotional high of the last-minute winner, Bation remained grounded. The Fighting Maroons still have one final hurdle before completing their redemption—and claiming UP’s 20th men’s football crown.
“Ngayon focus kami sa training namin, paa baba sa lupa, then focus for the finals. Lagi lang kaming ready sa team and respeto sa sarili,” he said.
“Bibigay ko para sa UP community, sa teammates ko, at sa pamilya ko.”
