By: Brenn Allen Flores
University of the Philippines spoiled De La Salle University’s warmup for its December 14 final against Far Eastern University, securing a 1-0 victory to close the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football elimination round on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The only goal of the match came from Yoojin Kim, who converted a penalty just before halftime.
Despite the win, UP finished the season with eight points and a minus-nine goal difference.
It fell just short of a bronze medal to University of Santo Tomas, which had a superior minus-one goal difference.
UP head coach Andres Gonzales dedicated the win to the team’s graduating players: Kim, Anya Fuentes, Zayin Penetrante, Martina Cloma, Roxanne Eduave, and Maridona Trajano.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“We wanted to dedicate this game to our seniors who sacrificed so much for the team, and they responded very well, playing with a lot of heart,” said Gonzales.
He added, “They could’ve just given up since we had no chance for third place, but credit to them – they really wanted to leave something behind, especially the seniors.
“They wanted to leave something memorable, and the younger players responded as well.”
Both teams struggled to create meaningful chances until the 45+2 minute when UP was awarded a penalty after Stephanie Goñe handled Fuentes’ cross in the box.
In the 81st minute, UP’s Patricia Espinosa was shown a second yellow card for a high challenge on Maegan Alforque, leaving the Fighting Maroons down to 10 players.
Despite being shorthanded, the Fight Maroons thwarted La Salle’s build-up play in the final minutes to hold on for the win and end their season on a high note.
Looking ahead, Gonzales emphasized recruitment as UP’s main priority for the offseason.
“Actually ‘yong rebuild started last year but the players we got, kulang pa rin in terms of numbers and in terms of players na kailangan namin sa certain positions. That’s why we had to convert many players, lalo na on our defensive line,” he explained.
“I would like to give credit to the girls because it has been a difficult season. Madaming struggles. We didn’t perform as well as we had hoped for, but the injuries didn’t help also. We had a lot of new players, and then the sort preparations parang kulang in terms of integration.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
La Salle finished the eliminations in second place with 14 points and a plus-seven goal difference, setting up a fourth-straight final against defending champion Far Eastern University.
The game also marked a milestone as the first time all four match officials were women.
Jeannyfer Bruan served as the head referee, alongside Annalou Arrogante, Cherry Bernabe, and Jycellia Diong as the assistant referees.
