Hannah Muros scored the winner as University of the Philippines, seeking a confidence boost heading into the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Final Four, edged De La Salle University, 1-0, on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Muros, a fourth-year midfielder from Holistic Education & Development Center in Antipolo, fired home the winning goal in the 33rd minute, pouncing on the rebound after La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido denied her initial attempt.
Trailing by a goal, La Salle pressed forward despite losing forward Dani Tanjangco to an injury substitution.
Maegan Alforque missed a chance to equalize after firing wide on an open look, while Ushin Valencia nearly restored parity with a long-range free kick that rattled off the crossbar.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Result-wise, we got the job done because we wanted to secure the number three position so we can manage the match against UST already,” said coach Anto Gonzales. “But overall play in the first half was not really good, especially in the first 20 minutes.
“We were a step slower than La Salle. La Salle was on the front foot. We were lucky na hindi kami na-goalan in the first 20 minutes. We had a number of players who didn’t put in the necessary effort. Fortunately, after the goal, nag-improve ‘yung effort, and the second half was really just a matter of staying in there and managing the game,” the former Azkal added.
The victory avenged UP’s 1-0 first-round loss to La Salle on September 23. It also marked the Fighting Maroons’ first win over the Lady Booters since their 1-0 triumph on December 8, 2024, during Season 87.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Despite the defeat, La Salle remained second in the standings with 19 points, while UP held third place with 15 points.
“Ang goal talaga namin was to get the win today para against UST, we can rest players, especially going into the semis or the stepladder. We will be competitive; we’ll give a chance to other players, but still, the demand is the same. But yeah, we will definitely manage the game against UST,” said Gonzales.
Both teams will wrap up their elimination-round campaigns on Wednesday, with UP facing Final Four-chasing University of Santo Tomas at 2 p.m. and La Salle taking on Far Eastern University at 7 p.m.
A victory for the Lady Tamaraws would secure their place in the finals for the sixth consecutive season.
