Tigresses cop football title over Lady Archers

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas went to its national team mainstay Jowe- Ann Barruga to beat De La Salle, 1-0, and cop the women’s football crown in UAAP Season 74 at the Ateneo field yesterday.

Barruga, the Malditas’ ace striker, scored on a header in the 68th minute as the España-based school finally claimed the title after back-to-back runner-up finishes.

“We are lucky to win this championship. But it was really meant for us after finishing second the last two years,” said UST head coach Bon Estrabon.

The Tigresses had the twice-to-beat advantage in the finals but were forced to a knockout match after the Lady Archers won in penalty shootout, 4-3, last weekend.

Barruga, despite playing with a cut on her head after colliding with defender Celine Ampil in the first half, stepped up her game in the second half.

“This is my last year with the team and I promised myself to help win the title for UST,” said Barruga.

The title was the second for UST since women’s football was added to the UAAP program 17 years ago.

Besides Barruga, also rising to the occasion for the Tigresses were Most Valuable Player Mariz Magdolot, Marianne Narciso and Aiza Mondero.

“There were no lapses in the team. We were just unlucky,” De La Salle head coach Hans Smith said.

UST first became champion in 2009, beating also De La Salle, 4-1, in a penalty shootout.