Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It was a memorable day for University of the Philippines (UP) football after being crowned as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions of both the men’s and women’s division on Thursday (May 5) at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The UP Lady Maroons won their trophy first after dealing away top seeded La Salle, 2-1, in the early kickoff for the day.
A mistimed tackle in the box forced the referee to award the Lady Maroons with a penalty kick in the 50th minute, which Cristina De Los Reyes tucked away to open the scoring 1-0.
In the 61st minute, a UP handball gifted the Lasallians with a penalty of their own, which resulted in Sara Castañeda levelling the game at 1-1.
But it did not stop the Katipunan-based squad from regaining their lead, 2-1, after a header from Angeliza Sta. Clara found the back of the net in the 67th minute.
La Salle could not find an equalizing goal, as the Lady Maroons weathered the competition to claim the championship.
Doubling up
An action-packed final in the men’s division saw UP claim their second title of the day, this time against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 4-1.
The Maroons had a blistering hot start after King Miyagi got things going in the 28th minute to give UP the 1-0 lead, after he pounced on a rebound off a stinging Daniel Gadia shot.
It did not take long for Gadia to get a goal of his own after dribbling past the Ateneo defenders to extend their lead 2-0 at the 33rd minute mark. The Blue Eagles would pull one back just three minutes later, though, after captain Mikko Mabanag converted a free kick to make it 1-2.
In the second half, it was UP again who broke the ice.
Miyagi pounced on an Ateneo error in the box to knock the ball past the keeper, 3-1.
But the striker was not done yet.
Miyagi completed his hattrick in the 80th minute of the match, after taking advantage of a through ball into the box to put the game beyond doubt at 4-1.
That proved to be the final goal of Season 78, as UP took home both football trophies on the same day.
