By Ruf Serafin Rosero – Fullcourtfresh.com
MANILA — The UP Fighting Maroons reclaimed the top spot in collegiate football after outlasting the FEU Tamaraws, 2-1 in extra time, to win the UAAP Season 88 men’s football championship on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The victory delivered UP its historic 20th men’s football crown and completed a three-season redemption arc against its familiar Finals rival.
UP previously ruled Season 86, but its repeat bid in Season 87 ended in the semifinals at the hands of FEU. The Tamaraws went on to win the Season 87 title, setting up another high-stakes chapter between the two programs. In Season 88, the Fighting Maroons made sure the trophy returned to Diliman.
The Finals opened as a tightly contested affair, with both sides probing for early control. UP generated several attacking sequences in the first half but could not break through the FEU backline.
The Tamaraws struck just before the halftime break. Season 87 rookie of the year Karl Absalon found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead and shift the pressure squarely onto the top-seeded Maroons.
UP came out more aggressive in the second half, pushing numbers forward and testing the gloves of FEU Goalkeeper Mon Diansuy. The Maroons increased their tempo in the final stretch of regulation as time began to run out on their title hopes.
Their persistence paid off in the closing minutes when UP earned a penalty after sustained pressure inside the box. FEU rookie defender Francis Sambaan clipped Florenz Tacardon above the ankle inside the box forcing referee Mick Jon Pineda to award the penalty to the eventual champions.
Team captain and Season 88 Co-MVP Charles Lobitaña stepped up to take the most important kick of the season. The skipper later shared his mindset in that defining moment.
“Pag napasok ko ’to champion kami,” Lobitaña said.
He calmly buried the penalty to level the match at 1-1 and send the Finals into extra time, igniting the UP supporters in attendance.
With momentum now on their side, the Fighting Maroons continued to press in the additional period. UP’s attacking pressure finally produced the breakthrough goal in extra time, completing the comeback and sealing the championship victory.
The Maroons’ defense then held firm in the remaining minutes to preserve the lead and secure the title.
After the match, Lobitaña dedicated the championship to the UP community and to his family and friends in Bukidnon who supported him throughout the campaign. He also confirmed he will return for his final year of eligibility, giving UP an experienced leader heading into Season 89.
UP’s title run was built on consistency. The Fighting Maroons entered the Final Four as the top seed and survived a tight semifinal to arrange another Finals meeting with FEU.
Season honors reflected standout individual performances across the league.
Lobitaña shared the Most Valuable Player award with fellow Maroon Florenz Tacardon, underscoring UP’s balanced attack. Despite missing the Finals due to yellow card accumulation, FEU’s Selwyn Mamon still claimed both the Best Striker plum and the Golden Boot after finishing with 10 goals in the tournament.
FEU newcomer Kean Niu was named Rookie of the Year following an impressive debut season. The young forward previously stood out during the latter years of FEU-Diliman’s 12-year championship run in the High School Boys Division.
UP’s Fonzy Gonzales earned Best Goalkeeper honors after anchoring the Maroons’ defensive unit throughout the season, while Dov Cariño of the Ateneo Blue Eagles was recognized as Best Midfielder.
From champions in Season 86, to a semifinal exit in Season 87, and back to the throne in Season 88, the Fighting Maroons completed their redemption arc and once again brought the UAAP men’s football championship back to Diliman.
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