Football is a game of fine margins, and for University of the Philippines defender Charles Lobitaña, the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament final was nothing short of a roller coaster.
The road to UP’s second title in three seasons was far from easy for Lobitaña.
In the waning seconds of the first half, a poor clearance from him allowed Far Eastern University midfielder Karl Absalon to strike in the 45+2nd minute, giving the Tamaraws a 1–0 lead and leaving the Fighting Maroons trailing at halftime.
Determined to make up for his early mistake, Lobitaña spent much of the match searching for a way to help his team.
His moment arrived in the 90+9th minute when UP was awarded a penalty after Tacardon drew a foul from FEU’s Francis Sambaan.
With the weight of the championship on his shoulders, Lobitaña calmly stepped up and converted the equalizer past Tamaraws goalkeeper Mon Diansuy, swinging momentum back to the Fighting Maroons.
“Yung nasa isip ko nung napasok ko yung goal — pag napasok ko yun, then tuloy-tuloy na at champion kami,” Lobitaña reflected on that game-changing moment.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
His instinct proved correct. In extra time, Ramil Bation III scored the winning goal in the 104th minute, sealing a 2–1 victory and reclaiming the crown UP last held in Season 86.
After more than 120 minutes of grueling play, the Fighting Maroons captain stood not just as a two-time UAAP champion, but also as the competition’s Co-Most Valuable Player alongside fellow UP senior Tacardon.
For Lobitaña, individual accolades were secondary to the team’s triumph.
“Ewan ko kung ano ma-fe-feel ko, pero yung mga awards, ano lang yan eh, bonus na lang sa amin yan,” he admitted. “Ang goal talaga namin is mag-champion at ma-reclaim yung crown namin. Nagawa namin and lahat kami, we’re so happy.”
Hailing from Bukidnon, Lobitaña’s victory was a celebration of his roots and the support system that carried him through the grueling Season 88 campaign. As he held the MVP and championship trophies, his thoughts went immediately to those who cheered him on from afar.
“Siguro sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa UP community, sa mga family ko, sa friends ko sa Bukidnon, sa lahat ng teams ko — para sa kanila ’to lahat,” he said.
While many veterans might see a championship and MVP award as the perfect time to bow out, Lobitaña signaled that his journey with the Fighting Maroons is far from over. With one year of eligibility remaining, the defender is already focusing on defending the title in Season 89.
“Mag-isang taon pa ako kaya gagamitin ko to,” Lobitaña concluded, confirming he will return for a final tour.
