Football win caps UST’s UAAP romp

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas nipped La Salle, 1-0, in the women’s football finals at the Ateneo field Sunday to cap its overall championship romp in UAAP Season 74.

The Tigresses leaned on national team mainstay Jowe Ann Barruga’s 67th-minute goal to squeak past the Green Archers, who forced the winner-take-all match with a penalty shootout win last Sunday.

UST’s triumph in the last event of the season enabled the España-based school to finish with 298 points for its 14th straight overall crown.

UST also ruled women’s beach volleyball, men’s fencing, men and women’s judo, men’s taekwondo, men’s table tennis and women’s tennis, where the Tigresses also overcame La Salle.

La Salle wound up second with 278 points, while Far Eastern U finished third with 229 markers.
The Tigresses finally got over the hump after bridesmaid finishes in the past couple of years.

Barruga, bucking a cut on her head after colliding with defender Celine Ampil in the first half, headed home a cross from Ma. Christine Fuentes for the title-clinching goal.

“We are lucky to win this championship,” said UST coach Bon Estrabon. “I had more attacking players. We didn’t want another penalty shootout.”

The title was the second for UST since women’s football was added to the UAAP program 17 years ago.

UST’s Mariz Magdolot won the Most Valuable award, teammate Aiza Mondero was adjudged best midfielder and Marianne Narciso was awarded best striker.