By: Nicole Parallag
Gleydile Añonuevo’s dramatic equalizer secured a 2-2 draw for University of Santo Tomas against De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Añonuevo, a product of Del Carmen National High School, found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
His goal earned UST their second point of the campaign while keeping their slim hopes of reaching this season’s finals alive.
“Malakas talaga yung team ng La Salle eh, mas lalo na dahil sa national team players nila,” said UST head coach Marjo Allado. “Throughout the game, yung girls naunahan ng score diba? Pero alam mo hindi sila nag-give up and na-survive namin yung 90 minutes na pagod na pagod na.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
La Salle, meanwhile, was forced to settle for their second consecutive draw after a 1-1 stalemate against Far Eastern University in a rematch of last season’s Final at the end of the first round.
Añonuevo’s equalizer capped off a thrilling encounter between the two teams.
La Salle got off to a dream start when Arantxa Trebol scored a header in the 63rd minute off a cross from Chenny Mae Dañoso. Danielle Tanjangco’s goal in the 66th minute was ruled out due to a foul in the UST box.
UST responded in the 73rd minute, with substitute Rojana Nemenzo heading in a goal to level the score. However, La Salle regained the lead just five minutes later when Shai del Campo struck in the 78th minute.
Despite the setback, UST had the last laugh, with Añonuevo’s goal ensuring a dramatic draw.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ang pinakamagandang nangyari tonight is, yun nga, sabi ko dun sa La Salle, dahil dito sa draw binigyan niyo ng confidence players ko,” said Allado. “I know naman La Salle will go up sa championship, pero malaking bagay yung pag-draw against La Salle eh.”
In their first-round encounter last September 20, UST had suffered a 2-0 loss to La Salle.
UST remains at the bottom of the standings with two points and a minus-4 goal difference. They will face Ateneo de Manila University this Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
On the other hand, La Salle, which reclaimed the top spot with 11 points and a +5 goal difference, will also meet Ateneo on November 23 at 4:00 PM.
