Anya Fuentes’ first-half goal proved to be the difference maker as University of the Philippines edged past University of Santo Tomas 1-0 in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Fuentes, a 21-year-old midfielder for the Fighting Maroons, put the ball at the back of the net for UP in the 21st minute.
The Architecture student’s goal marked a great opening 45 minutes for the Fighting Maroons, but they failed to capitalize on their momentum.
“First half, I thought we played very well,” said coach Anto Gonzales.
“We checked all the boxes of our objectives. We played good football. Second half, it was UST’s game. Our game changers barely had any positive impact. That’s why UST was able to get hold of the game. We need to be able to manage better, especially in the endgame,” he opined.
During the second half, an unfortunate incident occurred between Fuentes and UST goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia.
Both players found themselves down on the pitch for a few minutes after they collided while chasing the ball.
The two of them were substituted soon after with defender Maria Rica Juliana Gerona taking over goalkeeping duties for the Lady Booters.
UST tried to pull a goal back but none came in the end. Lovely Fernandez and Gleydile Anonuevo had their chances but their attempts went straight at UP goalkeeper Frances Caroline Acelo.
UP will try to build on this victory when it goes up against De La Salle University this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
“We’ve played La Salle in the Ang Liga. We know how they play. We know they’re a very strong team. We know they have very good individual talents. We’ll definitely need to have our best possible game,” added Gonzales.
On the other hand, UST will seek to bounce back against defending champion Far Eastern University also this Saturday at 4 p.m. on the same pitch.
UP XI: Acelo, Chua, Montilla, Fuentes, Narido, Baroin (C), Kim, Mangrobang, Moreno, Napiza, Facturanan.
UST XI: Garcia, Gerona, Sy, Bennett (C), Ramos, Anonuevo, Marcos, Nemenzo, Quiman, Fernandez, Sumampong.
