Camille Naredo

The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 men's football championship, February 23, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. UAAP Media

The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 men's football championship, February 23, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

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UAAP Season 88

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771859597000UAAP88 FOOTBALL FINALS MENS_AWARDING_ UP-03506.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s football championship, February 23, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. UAAP Media" width="960"/>The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s football championship, February 23, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. UAAP Media</div>MANILA -- The University of the Philippines reclaimed the UAAP men&#x27;s football championship in dramatic fashion on Monday, stunning Far Eastern University in come-from-behind fashion at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.Timely goals by Charles Lobitaña and Ramil Bation III propelled the Fighting Maroons to a 2-1 triumph in the gold medal match that went to extra time, giving them the Season 88 crown.It was the 20th men&#x27;s football title for UP, which topped the elimination round with 29 points before ousting La Salle via a 1-0 result in the Final 4. This was their first title since Season 86 -- a win that also came at the expense of the Tamaraws.&quot;These guys deserve all the credit here,&quot; said UP coach Popoy Clarino after guiding his team to victory in the tournament, held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.&quot;They worked together for the whole year. They made sacrifices. It was a hard year, but because of the sacrifice and the love that they gave each other, they deserved to win this. They deserved to have this. What a final. I thank FEU for giving us a game that brought out the best in us,&quot; he added.To claim the championship, the Fighting Maroons had to dig deep against the Tamaraws, who came agonizingly close to pulling off an upset in a second straight final that went into extra time.Tamaraws midfielder Karl Absalon gave FEU a dream start, heading the ball home in the 45+2nd minute after Lobitaña miscleared Czam Acueta&#x27;s cross.UP intensified their attack in the second half, hunting for an equalizer with urgency.Bation III, Shaun Saludez, and Joseph Garces each tested the Tamaraws&#x27; defense, but the leveler remained elusive. The Fighting Maroons came close with a strike that rattled the woodwork and a goalmouth scramble that FEU eventually cleared.It took the depths of stoppage time for UP to finally draw level.Florenz Tacardon attacked the FEU box, earning a foul from Tamaraws defender Francis Sambaan. Lobitaña then redeemed his earlier mistake by calmly slotting home the spot-kick in the 90+9th minute.Riding the momentum of Lobitaña&#x27;s equalizer, the Fighting Maroons carried their energy into the first half of extra time.This time, it was Bation III&#x27;s turn to shine, converting a close-range cross in the 104th minute to secure the title for UP.This victory, perhaps the sweetest of the bunch, completed a season sweep for the Fighting Maroons against the Tamaraws.UP prevailed in all three encounters during Season 88, beginning with a convincing 3–1 win on September 25, 2025, followed by a gritty 1–0 shutout on January 15.&quot;For me, it&#x27;s just giving credit to these guys,&quot; said Clarino. &quot;All those fifth-year players decided to stay and help this team. It feels good to be back, but after today, we have to work on the next season. Learning doesn&#x27;t stop, and we&#x27;re very grateful to God for the opportunity to be in this final.&quot;Thanks to their pivotal roles in UP&#x27;s title run, Tacardon and Lobitaña were named co-Most Valuable Player awardees.The Fighting Maroons also claimed the Fair Play Award for accruing the fewest cautions, while Fonzy Gonzalez and Lobitaña were named Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender, respectively, after helping UP keep seven clean sheets and concede only eight goals.Selwyn Mamon, who missed the final due to suspension, took home the Best Striker and Golden Boot awards after scoring 10 goals for FEU.Freshman Kean Niu earned Rookie of the Year honors following his consistent midfield performances for the Tamaraws.Representing Ateneo de Manila University, Dov Cariño claimed Best Midfielder after scoring five goals and providing seven assists this season.Completing the podium finishers, University of Santo Tomas secured the bronze medal for the first time since Season 86.

The University of the Philippines reclaimed the UAAP men's football championship in dramatic fashion on Monday, stunning Far Eastern University in come-from-behind fashion at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The University of the Philippines reclaimed the UAAP men's football championship in dramatic fashion on Monday, stunning Far Eastern University in come-from-behind fashion at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

UAAP: UP outlasts FEU in thriller to claim men's football crown

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UAAP: UP outlasts FEU in thriller to claim men's football crown

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 23, 2026 11:13 PM PHT

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UAAP Season 88

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