Far Eastern University had every reason to celebrate after a dominant 4-0 victory over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament last Saturday.
Instead, the final stretch of the match was overshadowed by a heated altercation that saw benches clear, punches thrown, and six players sent off in a chaotic few minutes that neither side wanted to remember.
Around the 72nd minute, a clash between FEU’s Kristine Dela Peña and UP’s Angelica Dizon sparked strong reactions from their respective teammates.
The situation quickly escalated, forcing the referees and coaches from both sides to hurry onto the pitch to restore order.
“Very unfortunate lang,” said Lady Tamaraws deputy Fitch Arboleda, who took charge of the team with head coach Let Dimzon out due to personal reasons. “Out of nowhere, nagdi-discuss kami kung sino ang i-su-sub namin para sa second wave sana ng system, pero nagulat lang kami.
“We really don’t know paano nangyari ‘yun. Learning din sa amin at sa mga players na ‘pag may mga ganung instances, try not to engage kasi, ‘yun nga, nakakaapekto sa mga sumusunod na games — and it’s not FEU.”
When order was restored, the referees, led by Meliton Pelayo, handed out three red cards to each team.
The Lady Tamaraws lost goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, Dela Peña, and Kyza Colina. Meanwhile, Mariel Sancho, Jessa May Aranas, and substitute goalie Ainnah De Guzman were dismissed for the Fighting Maroons.
There may still be additional suspensions for individuals from both camps, as match officials were still reviewing the incident after the match.
With just nine players for UP and eight players for FEU, the game resumed and finished without any further incidents.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Siguro ‘yung nangyari, ‘yung commotion lang kanina, I think it was from even before it started — it was the heat of the moment,” said UP assistant coach Jerold Facturanan, who took over while head coach Anto Gonzales served his one-game suspension.
“Mainit na ‘yung laro. Same time, may mga nag-react violently. Pero after the game, magkakakilala naman sila, so ano talaga, it’s just part of the game. Heat of the moment lang, kaya nagkainitan, kaya nagkaabutan,” he continued.
“But for both teams, I think it was harsh na ‘yung game parang six red cards ang nakuha. I think it was a bit harsh, lalo na sa mga players namin na, for me, ‘di ko naman nakita sila na nag-react violently. So it was unfair for both teams.”
Once Pelayo blew the full-time whistle, however, the tension that had defined the final stages of the match gave way to sportsmanship.
Both teams performed the customary handshake and showed good sportsmanship toward one another, taking it upon themselves to move past the incident and make peace after an ugly sequence of events.
For FEU, it is a matter of charging the incident to experience and ensuring there will be no repeat in its upcoming matches.
“Well, it’s part of the game,” said Arboleda. “Kahit ako rin naman, naka-experience na ako niyan before — much worse pa. But again, of course, we will learn definitely. So ‘yun na lang, i-look forward na lang namin. Of course, we will adjust for the coming next games. Yes, let’s see kung paano namin gagawan ng paraan.
” Again, it’s a challenge na kailangan namin i-look forward.”
On the other hand, UP pointed out that camaraderie and sportsmanship ultimately prevailed over any feelings of contempt when the match ended.
“At the end of the day, ‘yung football community sa Philippines, maliit lang, e,” said Facturanan. “So magkakakilala naman talaga sila. Kahit during the game, makikita mo talaga sila — ‘yung pride talaga, ‘yung challenge kung challenge. Then after the game, magkakakilala sila. Some of them former teammates pa or magkababayan pa.
“So proud din ako for both teams na after, nagkamayan na, na okay. Naging okay din after nung nangyari.”
