UP, UST capture UAAP football titles

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines relied again on Jose Andoni Santos as it pulled off a 1-0 win over Far Eastern University to capture the 71st UAAP men’s football crown on their centennial year at the Erenchun field in Ateneo.

Santos, the best striker in the season, scored a goal in the 49th minute and the Fighting Maroons held on with their defense to end their seven-year title drought.

“That’s my job –  to strike and create points,” said the 22-year-old Santos, a senior BA philosophy student. “But our teamwork and all-out effort collectively gave us this win.”

UP, which won Game 1, 2-1, last Thursday to force a sudden death, ended the elimination round with a 5-1-4 (win-loss-draw) mark for 19 points to place second behind elimination topnotcher FEU (6-2-2 for 20 points).

In women’s side, University of Santo Tomas (UST) banked on the penalty goals of Shiralyn Francisco, Jovelyn Artillaga, Aprilyn Reyes and Joma Clemente to score a 5-2 upset of De La Salle University for its first title.

The Lady Archers sputtered as veterans Clarissa Lazaro and Sam Nierras missed their penalty attempts. After goalkeeper Irish Rapal saved Nierras’ soft shot, UST preserved the victory when Clemente sank the title-clinching goal.

“I can’t believe it,” said UST rookie coach Rozano Estrabon, whose wards also won, 2-0, last Thursday that forged the sudden-death game. “It was the team unity and great chemistry that won it for us.”