Every team has a defining moment in their season. For the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, that moment arrived today when they overturned a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 against the University of Santo Tomas Lady Booters.
Substitute Patricia Malonzo (57′) and Claudia Mendoza (60′) provided the goals to give State U their first win in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Football Tournament. On the other hand, Charise Lemoran (45+2′) continued her good form for UST, but her goal wasn’t enough.
“To be honest I was becoming hopeless,” admitted UP coach Anto Gonzales. “I felt like as if they didn’t want it. First half I felt two or three players played and gave it their all, the rest just didn’t want it enough.”
It was UST who seized the initiative in the first half. UST had more incision in their attack compared to State U, and the Lady Booters were able to convert their possession into chances unlike their opponents.
Lemoran was once again the star of the show, and she was a constant menace to the Lady Maroons defense. The sophomore forward’s runs in the State U box created chances not only for her, but whole Lady Booters attack.
In one instance, Lemoran eluded the UP backline and engaged Lady Maroons goalie Nicole Adlawan one-on-one, only for the latter to pull off a stunning save to keep the game goalless. However, Lemoran made up for that afterwards in the 45+2 minute when she put the ball past Adlwana to finally give UST the lead.
Everything that UST had worked for in the first period came to naught in the second half. UP finally showed the stuff of defending champions when they enacted the comeback their season needed.
State U scored twice in just three minutes in to change the game’s complexion. Substitute Malonzo changed the game for UP when she capitalized on Sofia Dungca’s pass to score in the 57th minute, and provided an assist for Mendoza, who scored in the 60th minute off a scramble in the UST box to give State U the lead.
UST tried to salvage a point, but UP goalie Nicole Adlawan thwarted the Lady Booters every single time. The Lady Maroons eventually held on to win 2-1 in what was their first victory this season.
When asked what changed in the second half, Gonzales quickly answered “the fight.” “I didn’t say any tactical, technical coaching during the huddle because I was so disappointed with the first half performance but credit to the girls they turned things around in the second half.”
Up next for UP (4 points) are the Far Eastern University on March 29, 1:00 PM at the Far Eastern University-Diliman field. On the other hand, UST (9 points) shall face the Ateneo de Manila University on March 25, 3:00 PM at Rizal Memorial.
UP XI: Adlawan, Agustin, Alleje, Delos Reyes, Dungca, Malmis, Mendoza, Navea-Huff, Perez, Sta. Clara, Yalong
UST XI: Cadag, Cleofe, Cuaresma, Ilan, Indac, Lemoran, Lopez, Lustan, Reyes, Sanchez, Sumilang
