UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) scored a golden double after claiming the men’s and women’s titles of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 football on Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Maroons dominated Ateneo de Manila en route to a 4-1 victory on King Miyagi’s hat trick, while the Lady Maroons sent the favorite De La Salle crashing after a 2-1 win in the women’s side.
Coach Anto Gonzales, the mentor of both teams, gave UP its first-ever double crown in UAAP football.
“You could say that this is a testament of the character and heart of my team,” said Gonzales, who dedicated the twin victories to Rogie Maglinas, the 19-year-old defender of the UP men’s football team who passed away in January due to rhabdomyosarcoma, or cancer of the skeletal muscles.
“Rogie really inspired us. Doon sa example na iniwan niya, ‘yung sipag at fight na iniwan niya, ‘yun ‘yung pinakita nila all throughout the season,” Gonzales added. “Rogie salamat sa lahat. Sana kasama ka namin ngayon at nakita mo kung paano lumaban ‘yung team, at ‘yung iniwan niya mananatili ‘yan parati sa amin. Sana masaya siya kung nasaan siya ngayon.”
The Fighting Maroons claimed their 17th title but their first since 2012.
“I’m just happy that compared from last season, the way we played this whole season in terms of overall play, fight and effort, icing on the cake na lang ‘tong finals. The boys gave everything,” Gonzales said. “Actually, ako itong finals na ito walang stressed, walang anxiety, and walang pressure to win it, because I was very satisfied with what they showed this season in terms of fight and effort, wala na akong mahihiling pa.”
Miyagi drew the first blood at the 28th minute, then season Most Valuable Player (MVP) Daniel Gadia doubled UP’s lead in the 33rd minute.
Ateneo skipper Mikko Mabanag, who played his last UAAP game, found the back of the net to trim the deficit to 2-1 nine minutes before halftime.
Miyagi continued his stellar night, giving his team a commanding 3-1 spread in the 70th and completed his hat trick 10 minutes later.
In women’s play, the Lady Maroons showed no fear and took down the undefeated La Salle.
Both squads settled for a goalless first half, then Cristina de los Reyes opened the scoring in the 50th minute to give UP a 1-0 lead.
La Salle tied the game when Sara Castañeda, the season’s Rookie of the Year, Best Midfielder and a Mythical 11 member, found the back of the net in the 61st. But six minutes after, Angeliza Santa Clara nailed a header to clinch the crown for the Katipunan-based team.
Graduating UP defender Molly Manalansan capped her career with an MVP honor.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos