After defending champion Far Eastern University, the hottest team in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament is the University of the Philippines, which is riding a four-game winning streak.
UP’s latest victory, a 2-0 shutout of National University last Saturday, strengthened the Fighting Maroons’ hold on third place with 12 points and kept their bid for the final twice-to-beat advantage alive.
One of the players who stood out for UP was Aurea Reaso, who scored a fantastic free kick in the 66th minute to add to teammate Bem Aranas’ 15th-minute opener and seal the victory for the Fighting Maroons.
“I know kasi po na yung sipa ko nag-cu-curve siya,” said Reaso.
“I just aimed for that second post and hoped na lang po that God will do the rest.”
Now in her third season with the Fighting Maroons, the Bachelor of Physical Education student is relishing UP’s rise in the standings. During her first two seasons in maroon and green, she experienced just two victories in 16 matches.
Things have been different this season.
The addition of NU paved the way for the women’s division to adopt a Final Four format for the first time, while a rejuvenated UP side has shown renewed determination to make up for lost time.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Maganda po sa feeling na lumabas po sa result, and happy rin po kami na nakuha namin yung ganun klaseng winning streak,” said Reaso.
“Pero yun nga po, sinabi rin sa amin ni Coach (Anto Gonzales), winning nga po pero may mga lapses pa rin na need i-improve, kasi alam po namin na may mas kaya kaming ibigay.”
After the match and the singing of the school hymn, the team gathered for a huddle where head coach Anto Gonzales reminded the players not to rest on their laurels and to continue improving ahead of their clash with FEU on Wednesday.
The five-peat-seeking Lady Tamaraws are currently riding a 20-match winning streak, and three more victories would secure them an outright finals berth while forcing the remaining teams into a stepladder format.
With those stakes in mind, Gonzales is keen to maximise his squad’s potential, not only to challenge the status quo but also to prove that this Fighting Maroons side is a legitimate contender.
“I think isapuso po namin ang sinabi ni coach, kasi yun nga po, panalo pero yung performance po is di siya ganun kaganda,” said Reaso.
“Parang momentum na rin po siya [sana] going into our second game against FEU. Yung sa amin lang po, we need to reflect po sa performance ngayon and kung ano man pong mas better na gagawin namin sa next game.”
Without a doubt, UP has the potential to accomplish something special this Season 89.
The Fighting Maroons have yet to return to the finals since their triumphant Season 78 campaign, and they appear to be the team best positioned to break the Lady Tamaraws-De La Salle Lady Booters duopoly this year.
It is all hands on deck for Reaso and her teammates as they seek to restore UP to its former glory this Season 89.
“For each and every one po, dapat po, pag pinapasok sa loob, dapat buo yung puso, buo yung laban, may utak, at yung togetherness namin sa loob ng field,” said the Taguig resident.
“Magtulungan kami doon. Kailangan lahat po, iisa yung page kung nasan kami.”
