Due to their inconsistent performances throughout the year, many believed that the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons were the underdogs against the De La Salle University Lady Archers in their UAAP Season 78 Women’s Football Tournament Finals clash, last Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
However, anything can happen in a league final and there was no reason why UP wouldn’t be capable of springing a surprise, after they had almost defeated La Salle in their second elimination round encounter – the last time both teams squared off. In the end, the Lady Maroons pulled off a fantastic performance to upset the Lady Archers and clinch that inaugural championship when they won 2-1 at the end of the ninety minutes.
Crucial to the Lady Maroons’ title win was striker Cristina de los Reyes, who gave State U the lead early in the second half when she calmly converted a penalty. She explained post-game, “(La Salle) didn’t score in the first half. Honestly they controlled the first half and they should have been at least 2-0 (up) but when we went into the locker room we all just collected ourselves. We were so mad. We didn’t want to see the smiles on their faces. We didn’t like seeing they were having fun and we weren’t.”
“This is a lot of our batchmates’ last years and a lot of us are graduating and we just wanted to do it for everyone who was sacrificing for us,” De Los Reyes added.
One of the things that concerned UP head coach Anto Gonzales this Season 78 was the Lady Maroons’ mentality, particularly their lack of self-confidence. De Los Reyes stated that she and her teammates believed in themselves this time and her goal had solidified that belief. She expounded, “It’s just sad that a handball happened to us and they got back in it but I’m so proud of our team for pushing through them and turning it around.”
Indeed, that championship felt like a huge turnaround for the Lady Maroons after their inconsistent results in the elimination round. While they and La Salle had looked like the two best teams this Season 78, it seemed like there was something hindering them from playing to their full potential. In the end, De Los Reyes felt those trials had made the victory sweeter. “Yes we did! It’s actually really bittersweet that everything that happened had to happen you know, all these sufferings and everything. If we had it easy, we wouldn’t value it as much and I’m so proud of everyone for sacrificing.”
If there was one thing the Lady Maroons didn’t allow to get to them, it was the pressure. De Los Reyes explained that Gonzales had eased their minds in the game by telling them to focus on the bigger mission. “He told us what he told us at the start: it’s not about winning the championship, it’s about inspiring everyone, inspiring people that you can do what you thought you could never do and to make sure that even if people don’t want to play on this pitch gets inspired by us.”
Everything looks rosy in UP after the Lady Maroons’ triumph. Confidence shone in De Los Reyes’ words when she was asked whether or not her team are targeting more rings in the next few seasons. She exclaimed, “Yes, definitely! We’re growing as a team. The biggest thing about us other than our system, other than our amazing coach is that we have the deepest bench in our team. It’s really something to behold that our team is through and through a team not just individual players. We play united.”
Come what may, De Los Reyes and the rest of the Lady Maroons will pull through in future UAAP campaigns because of one big lesson taught in UP. “As the saying goes in UP, it’s always just ‘Puso’,” she concluded, as she hurriedly rejoined her teammates in celebrating a well-deserved championship.
