The UAAP Season 88 men’s football finals produced a clash worthy of its grand stage, as the UP Fighting Maroons survived a fierce battle against defending champions FEU Tamaraws, carving out a thrilling 2–1 victory to recapture the crown at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Monday night.
FEU Tamaraws Strike First in Tense Opening Half
Both sides pushed the tempo early in the gold-medal match, with UP looking organized in attack in the opening frame and FEU eventually finding its rhythm. Then, just as halftime approached, the Tamaraws drew first blood.
Veteran midfielder Karl Absalon rose above the defense and powered in a header off Czam Acueta’s well-placed cross. The late first-half breakthrough stunned the Fighting Maroons and handed FEU a 1–0 advantage heading into the break.
UP Fighting Maroons’ Charles Lobitaña Forces Extra Time
With their title hopes slipping away, the UP Fighting Maroons came out in the second half with urgency.
Ramil Bation III, Shaun Saludez, and Joseph Garces each threatened the FEU backline, while one attempt struck the woodwork, and another goalmouth scramble nearly produced the equalizer.
The Tamaraws defended bravely, but deep into stoppage time, the decisive moment arrived. Florenz Tacardon darted into the box and was brought down, earning a crucial penalty in the 90+9th minute.
Team captain Charles Lobitaña stepped up under immense pressure.
Redeeming an earlier miscue that led to FEU’s opener, he calmly converted from the spot to level the match at 1–1 and force extra time.
Ramil Bation III Delivers for UP
Riding the momentum, UP sustained its attacking energy in extra time.
In the 104th minute, Bation III found space inside the box and finished from close range off a cross, completing the comeback and sealing a dramatic 2–1 victory.
The triumph secured the UP Fighting Maroons’ 20th men’s football title and their first since Season 86, capping a dominant campaign that saw them sweep FEU in all three meetings this season.
Afterward, Lobitaña earned Best Defender honors, while Fonzy Gonzalez was awarded Best Goalkeeper. UP also received the Fair Play Award.
Despite the loss, FEU’s Selwyn Mamon, who missed the gold-medal match after receiving a yellow card in the Final Four, claimed the Golden Boot and Best Striker awards with 10 goals. Freshman Kean Niu was hailed Rookie of the Year.
Ateneo’s Dov Cariño took Best Midfielder honors.
