Allanis Hodge and Gleydille Añonuevo kept the University of Santo Tomas’ postseason hopes alive as the Lady Booters secured a crucial 2-0 victory over the University of the Philippines in the final matchday of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament elimination round on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
After a goalless first half, Hodge broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, giving the Lady Booters a priceless lead.
Añonuevo then doubled UST’s advantage in the 79th minute, capitalizing on a costly error by UP goalkeeper Mariel Sancho to seal the shutout victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Sa laro na ito makikita na yung players, hindi lang lumaban pero kaya nila manalo,” said head coach Marjo Allado. “So ‘yan yung i-maintain ng UST Women’s Football Team na attitude, na kahit sabihin natin na 50-50 kami sa top four, yung attitude ng players wala silang pakialam doon as long as naka-focus sila sa game.”
With the victory, UST finished the elimination round with 11 points on three wins, two draws, and five losses.
However, the Lady Booters’ postseason fate now rests on the result of the upcoming match between Ateneo de Manila University and National University.
An NU victory over Ateneo would automatically secure UST a spot in the Final Four. A draw, meanwhile, would force a playoff between UST and Ateneo for the last postseason berth.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Well, buhay pa, pero of course the result of NU and Ateneo is beyond our control,” said Allado. “Ang pinakamagandang pinakita rito ng mga girls is tinapos namin yung elimination round on a high note, especially with a lot of first years playing inside, so for next season, naka-gain na sila ng experience.”
Having beaten UST, 1-0, on September 30 on the strength of a lone goal from Erissa Rivas, Final Four-bound UP struggled to impose its rhythm throughout Wednesday’s encounter.
The Fighting Maroons’ best opportunity to score came in the 86th minute, when Isalyn Tundag unleashed a long-range attempt that UST goalkeeper Ilah Adolfo comfortably saved.
UP finished the elimination round in third place with 15 points.
Depending on the outcome of the remaining match, the Fighting Maroons could face either UST or Ateneo in the stepladder semifinals or take on second-ranked De La Salle University in the Final Four.
