UAAP: UP piles on National U’s woes in women’s football

MANILA — University of the Philippines put National University on the brink of elimination in the UAAP Season 89 women’s football tournament after a 2-0 win on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Bem Aranas scored the opener in the 15th minute, capitalizing on the Lady Bulldogs’ failed clearance of Gebeth Estember’s initial attempt and slotting home a composed finish.

Aurea Reaso then came off the bench and doubled UP’s lead in the 66th, converting a free kick from the left flank just outside the box to beat NU goalkeeper Quenie Magarso.

UP’s Aurea Reaso in action against NU in the UAAP Season 89 women’s football tournament, October 17, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP MediaThis was UP’s fourth straight win but head coach Anto Gonzalez said they have to play at a higher level in their next match against defending champion Far Eastern University.

“Not the performance that we wanted going into the next match, which is FEU,” he said. “That kind of effort will not do against FEU.”

The win lifted UP to third place in the standings with 12 points and a plus-3 goal difference.

While the result was less lopsided than their 0-5 defeat against UP in the first round, the loss still left the Lady Bulldogs with a maximum possible tally of nine points with three matches remaining.

NU’s postseason hopes now hang in the balance, as even a single point for Ateneo later in the day would officially eliminate the Lady Bulldogs.