By: Niklas Arriola
University of the Philippines capped its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament campaign by earning its first point of the season after holding the University of Santo Tomas to a goalless draw on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons wrapped up their stint in fifth place with one point and a -14 goal difference, while the Lady Booters remained in fourth with six points and a -1 GD.
With this result, Ateneo de Manila University secured at least a third-place finish with 11 points and a -2 GD, as UST has only one game left in the competition.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP had an early chance to score in the 20th minute when Patricia Espinosa’s corner kick tested UST keeper Lizlie Garcia, who managed to punch the ball away.
Espinosa came close again in the 34th minute with a strike from outside the box that narrowly missed the crossbar.
Midfielder Hannah Muros found herself in a breakaway opportunity in stoppage time, but her shot was once again denied by Garcia.
In the dying seconds, goalkeeper Mariel Sancho came up clutch, safely collecting Rica Gerona’s attempt to preserve the draw.
“This is the best game of the girls so far. The season didn’t go how we hoped it would be, but that’s a good sign in a sense that we set high standards for ourselves,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST, meanwhile, nearly broke the deadlock before halftime when Gerona unleashed a long-range effort that Sancho managed to gather.
In the 81st minute, Erich Montejo found herself open inside the box but was flagged offside before she could take her shot.
Gerona had one final chance to score from a free kick in the 92nd minute, but her attempt went off target.
The Lady Booters will look to finish their campaign on a strong note when they face De La Salle University on Saturday at 6:30 PM, still at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
