UAAP Football Finals: UP edges DLSU to bag title

The DLSU Women’s Football Team suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of the UP Lady Maroons in the finals match of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Football Tournament held earlier today in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. UP’s Cristina Delos Reyes and Angeliza Sta. Clara provided the scoring for the newly crowned champions, while La Salle’s Sara Castaneda scored the lone goal for the Green-and-White.

“We didn’t do what we were supposed to do — an unfortunate complement to the officiating. Only few played the way they were supposed to play,” said Coach Hans Smit on the result. “We should have finished it already in the first half.”

One-sided first half

DLSU started the game with relentless aggression, constantly pushing the ball towards the goal only to come up short on numerous occasions. UP goalkeeper Arriane Javier had her hands full during the opening minutes, coming up with soft pick-ups off attacks from the DLSU offensive front of Kyla Inquig, Shannon Arthur, and Chelo Hodges.

After a brief cooling break in the 25th minute, La Salle continued its ball pressure, dominating the possession while keeping the ball on their offensive side. Castaneda would contribute to the attack from the center, while Inquig, Arthur, and Hodges continuously completed pinpoint passes while inside the box on successive possessions. However, with each attack, UP’s Javier held the fort.

UP seemed content to keep the game scoreless while relying on the counterattacking of Mary Rose Obra and Delos Reyes, but they were unable to get a clean attempt on goal. Despite La Salle’s dominance offensively and defensively, it was a scoreless first half.

Lackluster second half

After halftime, UP matched DLSU’s aggression in the first half, applying constant pressure that contained their opponent’s offense. The Lady Maroons’ defense also managed to keep La Salle from having any good attempts at the goal.

The Lady Maroons soon built a counterattack after an uncharacteristic lapse by the La Salle offense on the left field, eventually leading to a foul inside DLSU goalkeeper Inna Palacios’ box. UP’s Delos Reyes then scored on the controversially awarded penalty, putting UP on top, 1-0.

“It’s not a penalty. I don’t care what people say. You can watch the video replay a thousand times and you’ll see it,” said Smit on the referee’s decision.

Minutes later, DLSU would quickly answer back with an attack of their own. While inside the box, a handball was called on a UP defender. Castaneda would score the equalizer off a penalty kick in the 61st minute.

A reverse header by Sta. Clara found the back of the net after a corner kick, scoring the final goal of the game in the 67th minute and ultimately sealing the championship for the Lady Maroons.

Individual awardees

After the game, the individual awards handed out were dominated by DLSU players, highlighted by Castaneda winning the Rookie of the Year and Best Midfielder award of the tournament. Arthur was named the Best Striker of the league and shared the Golden Boot award with Castaneda. Palacios was once again named the Best Goalkeeper, while Regine Metillo was adjudged as the Best Defender in Season 78. Six players from DLSU were named into the UAAP Women’s  Mythical XI, with Palacios, Metillo, Castaneda, Arthur, Inquiq, and Irish Navaja earning spots for their efforts this season. With UP’s win, Lady Maroon Monica Manalansan was named this season’s tournament MVP.

In the men’s division, Paeng De Guzman took home the Best Goalkeeper Award, while Jed Diamante was named Rookie of the Year. De Guzman, Diamante, Noel Brago, and Gerald Layumas were also named to the Men’s Mythical XI.