By: Nicole Parallag
Judy Mae Prado scored a crucial equalizer, helping University of Santo Tomas secure a 1-1 draw against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Prado, a midfielder from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, found the back of the net in the 57th minute.
That marked the Lady Booters’ first goal of the season and earned them their first point of the campaign.
“Kasi from the bench siya, so we try to rotate players sa mga past games kasi parang kumakapa siya sa match fitness ulit after a long break,” said UST head coach Marjo Allado. “But today, yung goal niya nagbigay ng kumpyansa sa kanya.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UP initially took the lead in the match with a 35th-minute opener from Anya Fuentes.
However, the Fighting Maroons struggled to capitalize on their chances after halftime.
Forward Bianca Torres had two opportunities to extend UP’s lead, but UST goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia denied her both times.
Prado had another chance to score late in the match but failed to convert a tap-in.
UP’s Maria Van Ommeren nearly clinched a dramatic late winner for the Fighting Maroons with a minute left in regular time. However, Garcia was there again to make the save for UST.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“The team is getting better and better,” Allado remarked. “Especially since the goals against us have been narrow losses, mostly 1-0.
“So today, this first goal from the girls served as an icebreaker, boosting their confidence, and hopefully, we can score again in the second round.”
UST finished the first round in last place with one point and a minus-4 goal difference, while UP remained in third place with four points and a minus-3 goal difference.
