Four Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters took home individual awards after completing their three-peat championship run in the recently concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s football tournament last Saturday, December 14, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila City.

Green-and-gold forward Carmela Altiche, midfielder Dionesa Tolentin, defender Jonela Albiño, and goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria secured individual recognition.

Both graduating, Altiche was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Season 86 MVP Tolentin took home the Golden Boot Award after scoring six goals in the tourney, along with the Best Midfielder award.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, the MVP shared that her main goal was to contribute to the team rather than acquiring individual awards.

“Actually, hindi talaga siya sumagi sa isip ko kasi nga ‘yung goal ko lang is makatulong sa team. I don't care if makakuha ako ng individual award o hindi, basta ang importante po sa akin is 'yung team po muna, (Actually, it never crossed my mind, since my main goal is to contribute to the team. I don’t care if I get an individual award or not, what’s important to me is the team first),” Altiche shared.

On the defensive end, Albiño was named Best Defender and Elauria Best Goalkeeper of the conference. Both supplemented the Tamaraws’ defense as they only conceded five goals throughout the competition.

Upon receiving the award, Elauria was grateful to the Tamaraw community for their unwavering support throughout the tournament and for being recognized as the Best Goalkeeper.

The individual awards were handed out after the Morayta-based squad successfully pulled off a historic three-peat in their win over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters.

In addition, Altiche also recognized that they made history as the second women’s football team to get a three-peat in FEU’s history.

“Siyempre malaking achievement po 'yun, since hindi po madali 'yung kalaban namin and marami 'yung pressure na baka hindi namin makuha ‘yung three-peat pero worth it lahat ng pagod namin and siyempre, sobrang saya lalo na nakagawa kami ng history sa school, and then mag-e-exit ako nang may nakuhang championship, (Obviously it’s a huge achievement, since our opponent was not easy and there was a lot of pressure that we may not get the three-peat, but overall, it payed off, and I am elated that we made history at our school, and I will exit as a champion),” she said.

Besides bagging five individual awards, the Morayta-based squad was also given the UAAP Season 87 Fair Play award.

Meanwhile, DLSU's Dani Tanjangco was named the Rookie of The Year. She was also recognized as the Best Striker and shared the Golden Boot award with Tolentin.

- Marcus Isaac D.G Bandong
(Photos courtesy of Jannah Hilario and Yvan Sacro/FEU Athletics)