A championship berth slipped through their grasp, but University of the Philippines still found something to take pride in after a hard-fought campaign in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament.
UP saw its title hopes come to a heartbreaking end, falling 3-2 to De La Salle University in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw through extra time last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The Fighting Maroons settled for third place, marking their first podium finish since Season 86. However, the result also extended their wait for a return to the championship stage, which they last reached in Season 78 when they captured the gold medal.
“Siguro ‘yong thoughts ko is kayang-kaya namin ‘yong bawat teams na lumalaro sa UAAP,” said UP fourth-year midfielder Hannah Muros.
“Siguro nagkulang lang kami sa pag-finish at saka ‘yong kung tiwala talaga namin sa bawat isa na talagang kaya namin pursigihin ‘yong kailangan naming pursigihin. At siguro sobrang thankful ko din sa teammates ko kasi hindi sila bumitaw hanggang dulo.”
One of the Fighting Maroons’ graduating players, Muros had opportunities to put the game away for UP during extra time. She also converted her spot-kick in the shootout, keeping her team’s hopes of forcing a rubber match alive.
But despite her and her teammates’ best efforts, La Salle proved more composed in the decisive moments, eventually securing another shot at the championship against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a rematch of last season’s finals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Siguro nagkulang, may kulang pa rin ako kahit kaunti, kasi kung na-shoot ko lang ‘yong mga moments na ‘yon, siguro ‘yon ‘yong mag-bo-boost sa ‘min na kayang-kaya namin ‘yong kalaban, at siguro ‘yon magiging momentum na hindi na sila makaka-score,” said Muros. “Pero siyempre, hindi naman natin masasabi kasi bilog ‘yong bola.
“Talagang kalmado lang ako during the penalty shootout at binawi ko lang din ‘yong mga hindi naka-shoot ng penalty, kasi at the end of the day, kami-kami lang din ang magtutulungan sa bawat isa.”
The penalty shootout reflected the Fighting Maroons’ collective effort throughout the season, as the players continued to support one another even in the face of adversity.
While not every campaign ends in triumph, some provide the foundation for something greater. Returning to the podium after an 11-match campaign is an achievement worth celebrating for a UP side that gave everything it had until the very end.
Whether Muros will return for Season 90 remains to be seen, as the midfielder is still eligible to play one more year. Regardless of her decision, she can look back on this campaign as a memorable chapter spent alongside her sisters-in-arms in the maroon jersey.
“Ni-lo-look forward ko na mag-go-grow pa ‘yong team. Alam ko nag-gro-grow kami as a whole team, pero alam ko na mayro’n at mayro’n pa ring malalabas ‘yong bawat isa sa ‘min,” said the Holistic Education & Development Center alumna.
“During this year, masasabi ko na talagang naging masaya ako nang sobra-sobra. ‘Yong growth na hinahanap namin last year… nakuha naman namin ‘yong bagay na ‘yon, at sobrang saya ko everytime na magkakasama kami kasi alam ng bawat isa na magsasaluhan at magsasaluhan kami.”
