MANILA -- University of the Philippines capped its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 women's football tournament by holding the University of Santo Tomas to a 0-0 draw, Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons earned their first point of the tournament and wrapped up their campaign in fifth place with a minus-14 goal difference.
Meanwhile, the Lady Booters remained in fourth with six points and a -1 GD.
The result greatly benefited the Ateneo Blue Eagles, who secured at least a third-place finish with 11 points and a -2 GD, as UST has only one game left in the competition.
Action between UP and UST in the UAAP Season 88 women's football tournament, November 5, 2025 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City. UAAP Media
UP had an early chance to score in the 20th minute when Patricia Espinosa's corner kick tested UST keeper Lizlie Garcia, who managed to punch the ball away.
Espinosa came close again in the 34th minute with a strike from outside the box that narrowly missed the crossbar.
Midfielder Hannah Muros found herself in a breakaway opportunity in stoppage time, but her shot was once again denied by Garcia.
In the dying seconds, goalkeeper Mariel Sancho came up clutch, safely collecting Rica Gerona's attempt to preserve the draw.
"This is the best game of the girls so far. The season didn't go how we hoped it would be, but that's a good sign in the sense that we set high standards for ourselves," said UP coach Anto Gonzales.
UST, meanwhile, nearly broke the deadlock before halftime when Gerona unleashed a long-range effort that Sancho managed to gather.
In the 81st minute, Erich Montejo found herself open inside the box but was flagged offside before she could take her shot.
Gerona had one final chance to score from a free kick in the 92nd minute, but her attempt went off target.
The Lady Booters will look to finish their campaign on a strong note when they face De La Salle University on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., still at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.