Last season’s bronze medalist University of the Philippines (UP) benefited from its early offense, nipping University of Santo Tomas (UST), 1-0, to start the Lady Maroons’ UAAP Season 86 women’s football campaign on the right foot Saturday on home turf.
Left winger Anya Fuentes was left wide open in her area when she found the loose ball in the 22nd minute to cannon her strike for the game’s lone goal.
“First half, I thought we played very well, we’ve checked all boxes in our objectives,” remarked UP manager Anto Gonzales. “Second half, it was UST’s game.”
The Tigresses had several chances to equalize, which included a quick response by midfielder Glydile Añonuevo and a second half running attack by Lovely Fernandez were all saved by reigning Golden Glove Coline Acelo.
“Sobrang hats off sa mga players. Sobrang ganda ng pinakita nila. Ang laki ng puso nila. Gusto talaga nilang manalo,” responded UST manager Aging Rubio.
“Ang problem ay hindi lang kami maka-convert. We had many opportunities to score,” she added.
Rubio likewise told Fullcourtfresh.com that starting goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia was rushed to the UST Hospital.
The emergency came after she accidentally clashed heads with a streaking Fuentes early in the second half, which resulted in her being stretchered out from the turf.
“We’re hoping na maka-recover siya so she can play sa next game. Pero ok naman siya, bahala na mga doctors ng UST Hospital and we are praying for her recovery,” Rubio said.
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