The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons scored a double victory May 5 as they won both the men’s and women’s football championships of UAAP 78 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The UP Lady Maroons beat the De La Salle University Lady Booters, 2-1, in the afternoon’s first match for the women’s football title.

UP’s Christina de los Reyes broke the deadlock at the 50th minute via, penalty kick, but DLSU’s Sara Castañeda leveled the game  at the 61st minute with a spot kick after an errant handball by the Maroon side inside the box. 6 minutes later, BG Sta. Clara headed the winner far from DLSU keeper Inna Palacios’ reach for the winner.

It was an emotional loss for the DLSU Lady Booters, who clinched many of the individual awards including Best Goalkeeper (Inna Palacio), Best Defender (Regine Metillo), Best Midfielder and Rookie of the Year (Sara Castañeda), and Best Striker (Shannon Arthur).

“After a poor first half, the girls changed the course of the game and pulled off the upsets,” said Coach Andres “Anto” Gonzales who mentors both the men’s and women’s football teams of UP. “Their fight and resilience showed in the second half.”

The UP Fighting Maroons defeated the Ateneo de Manila Blue Booters, 4-1, in the subsequent game.

Kintaro Miyagi made the first of his three goals at the 28th minute, converting a rebound off a forceful Daniel Gadia strike from a distance. Gadia himself scored the second goal at the 34th from just outside the box, before Ateneo’s Mikko Mabanag scored from a free kick two minutes later. But Miyagi was too much to handle for Ateneo, as the rookie scored twice at close range at the 70th and 80th minute.

Rookie Kintaro Miyagi (R) separates UP from its Katipunan neighbors with the 2nd of his 3 goals at the 2nd half.

Fullback Julian Mariano Clarino was seen crying unabashedly. The players’ faces displayed a mix of utmost joy and longing.

Instead of cheering, “U-P! U-P!” they chanted, “Rogie! Rogie!” as tribute to their teammate Rogie Maglinas who passed away in February after a three-month-long battle with cancer.

“The death of Rogie really brought us together,” said Coach Anto. “The support of everyone from the UP community—the students, the administration—has been tremendous,” he added.

In the post-game interview, UP midfielder Daniel Gadia paid tribute to his fallen teammate.

“Thank you, Rogie… Alam kong masaya si Rogie ngayon. Hindi namin ine-expect na maging 4-1 ang score. Ginawa lang namin ang objective namin. From the UNIGAMES hanggang sa UAAP, nakuha namin (ang championships),” the stocky central midfielder said.

Gadia, named Finals MVP, also said that he hopes to carry on the Rogie’s legacy after their collegiate athletic career. “Someday baka maging Azkals ako. Pangarap namin ‘yon ni Rogie,” he said.

The University of the Philippines will celebrate the win with a campus bonfire on May 13.

With photos and reports by Ronin Bautista