By: George Torno
University of Santo Tomas closed its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament campaign on a high note, scraping a 1–0 win over final-bound De La Salle University on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Lady Golden Booters finished their campaign in fourth place with nine points and a minus-2 goal difference. It was an improvement over their eight points in Season 87, which earned them the bronze medal, but still came two points behind this year’s third-placers, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, La Salle will enter its eighth straight final in second place with 12 points and a plus-2 goal difference after ending the second round with a three-game losing streak.
The Lady Green Booters are aiming for their first championship since Season 81, seeking to finally end three consecutive bridesmaid finishes to defending champions FEU Lady Tamaraws.
A win for La Salle in Saturday’s final at the UP Diliman Football Stadium would secure its 12th championship in the division.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Dito namin nakita yung puso at determination nila na bumawi sa game na natapos namin yung season ng maayos,” said assistant coach and former UST standout Hazel Lustan.
The opening minutes saw a scoring drought until a yellow card for Lady Golden Booters defender Ivy Tapiz sparked the Lady Green Booters. The momentum led to a crucial intervention by Maria Layacan, stopping a failed attack by Chenny Dañoso in the 23rd minute, which was followed by another yellow card for Stephanie Logastua after a push.
Mikaela Villacin nearly gave La Salle the lead in the 32nd minute, but saw her effort denied by a strong save from UST goalkeeper Christine Orian.
In the 35th minute, Nikah Asilo netted a goal off an assist from Samantha Asilo, giving the Lady Golden Booters the lead and keeping the Lady Green Booters at bay to close out the first half.
Early in the second half, La Salle’s Maria Tanjangco drove a shot toward goal, only for Orian to make a crucial deflection.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the 55th minute, La Salle mounted another attack as Danoso came close to leveling the score, but Orian produced another timely save to keep the Lady Green Booters on the edge.
UST tried to double its lead in the 79th minute, with Mecha Ursal driving an attack that was denied by Pido. Bianca Sy attempted to capitalize on a free kick later, but Pido’s heroics once again denied her in the 87th minute.
In the 92nd minute, both teams fought hard for a late goal, with UST’s Gelydlile Anonuevo getting two close attempts but failing to convert.
“Next season siguro yung siyempre start pa rin kami kung ano yung mga kailangan namin improve, as a team, as individuals,” said Lustan. “Tsaka yung next season namin matagal pa naman yun, so more preparation for us, back to the basics, especially, marami kaming mga players na mawawala.
“Yung lesson na sinasabi ko sa team, everytime na tumapak sila sa field, yung puso tsaka yung pride nila sa game kailangan dala-dala nila kasi nire-represent nila yung school nila.”
