Revenge never tasted so sweet.
After two frustrating results against the Green Booters of De La Salle University (DLSU) in the elimination round, the University of the Philippines (UP) Men’s Football Team (MFT) finally emerged victorious against the Taft-based squad with a dramatic 1-0 win on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
DLSU decoded
In the wake of a sobering loss against DLSU that disrupted their high-flying league campaign, the UP Fighting Maroons entered their semifinal rematch against the Green Booters hungry for revenge and even hungrier for a spot in the Final.
State U’s first big chance came early from a set piece, as it often had throughout the season. But Josh Meriño’s header from Ramil Bation’s fifth-minute corner was cleared off the line by a DLSU defender.
After weathering a spell of pressure, La Salle began to knock on the UP door. The Green Booters nearly scored in the 26th minute after a cross from the left evaded the Maroon defense, with James Sibla forcing Fonzy Gonzalez into a save. Sibla came even closer three minutes later, but his shot crashed off the crossbar.
As the second half wore on, La Salle settled into the same low block that frustrated UP in its previous meetings. Bation received the ball after a mazy run by Cian Galsim, only to send his shot straight into DLSU keeper Jason Salavante’s midriff.
The standoff continued into extra time, where UP found chances at a premium against a gassed Booters defense. Substitute Florenz Tacardon’s header found the back of the net in the 105th minute, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s offside flag.
Deep into added time at the end of the game, the Fighting Maroons found themselves with one last chance to seal the deal as Bation stood over a free kick. Despite having missed a bevy of chances throughout the game, the winger from Dipolog put the Maroons ahead with the last kick of the game as his free kick sailed past a flailing Salavante and into the DLSU net.
All eyes ahead
The Fighting Maroons have had a penchant for the dramatic and Bation’s free kick is the most recent in a series of late heroics punctuated throughout the season. Despite his goal, the winger is effusive in his praise for his team.
“[Hindi] kami sumuko, nilagay namin ‘yong utak at saka puso namin sa game and hindi binaba ‘yong standards namin,” he said in a post-game interview.
Bation added the team will be ready to reclaim the crown in the finale.
“Ang sarap sa feeling na makabalik kami sa finals. Kasi coming from last season na talo kami, […] ayaw namin mangyari ‘yong feeling na ‘yon ulit kasi deserve namin mag-finals lagi,” said the winger.
Bation echoed the words of skipper Charles Lobitaña: “Baba lagi, paa sa lupa.”
WATCH: UP MFT refuses to relive S87 semis pain — Bation
With one last hurdle remaining, his focus is only on one thing.
“[Lagi] para sa UP community at tsaka sa team namin. Para sa family ko rin.”
Just as euphoric during the post-match celebrations was MFT gaffer Popoy Clarino, whose usual cool facade was shattered in the dying moments of the game.
“I would like to thank God for giving us the opportunity again to be in the finals. He blessed us with tremendous talent [and] fantastic boys who really stepped up to give their commitment to the team,” said the gaffer, his smile a sign of relief after three grueling games against DLSU.
UP first faced La Salle in October, with the Green Booters defending resolutely to hold the Maroons to a scoreless draw. With a Final Four place on the line, DLSU did one better in the second round, taking a two-goal lead at halftime before frustrating UP for 45 minutes to nab an all-important 1-2 win.
Frustration was the name of the game again in the semifinals as La Salle did everything it could to put bodies between the ball and goal, but Bation’s last-minute strike ensured a first victory for UP over DLSU this season, a particularly satisfying result for Clarino.
“We just went back to the training ground, we covered all the small things we missed out during our previous game, we came prepared [and] we did our homework. Now it’s more of the recovery, so we’ll be prepared for the finals,” the tactician said.
“We just have to be prepared for everything and anything and we’re just excited to be back,” he added.
After sealing a place in the Final for the second time in three years, the Maroons will now spar with either the FEU Tamaraws or the UST Golden Booters for all the marbles at the same venue.
