By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong

Following an exceptional four-peat run, four Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters bag individual awards in the recently concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s football tournament last Saturday, November 15, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

Lady Tamaraw Booter team captain Jonela Albiño, defender Judie Arevalo, midfielder Regine Rebosura, and goalkeeper Jessa Lehayan all received recognition.

After her last impressive year for FEU, Albiño was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Arevalo secured the Golden Boot Award after scoring eight goals throughout the tourney.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, the MVP praised the team’s chemistry all throughout the season.

"'Yung bonding po namin mula nung Season 85 hanggang ngayon, pero mas na-express ko po 'yung sarili ko ngayon sa mga teammates ko, kaya sobrang proud and happy po ako sa kanila, kasi nag-unite po talaga kami this season (The bonding experience from Season 85 until now, I expressed myself better this season towards my teammates, and I am super proud and happy, because we are more united this season),” Albiño said.

From being the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, Arevalo credited head coach Let Dimzon for honing her skills, allowing her to receive the Golden Boot award.

"Una po sa lahat, nagpapasalamat po ako kay Coach Let, kasi siya 'yung nagpa-improve sa akin. Nagsimula po ako sa kaniya nung Season 86, rookie pa ako, at hanggang ngayon, nakakuha na ako ng award na Golden Boot, at 'yun sobrang saya po sa feeling (First of all, I want to thank Coach Let, because she helped me hone my skills. I started learning from her way back in Season 86 when I was still a rookie, and now, I secured the Golden Boot award, it feels great),” the defender shared.

On the defensive end, Lehayan’s determination on the field resulted in the green-and-gold booters conceding only four goals in the whole tourney, earning her the Best Goalkeeper award.

The goalie shared that she had always dreamt of bagging the recognition after sitting out several games due to a head collision in Season 86.

"Sobrang saya po talaga, kasi matagal ko na po talaga 'tong pinapangarap nung first time ko pa pumasok dito... Two seasons din ako nagpahinga, kaya ngayong comeback ko, prinomise ko talaga sa sarili ko [na] kukunin ko talaga 'to, akin talaga 'to (I am thrilled, because I had always dreamt of this award ever since I got in… I rested for two seasons, and now that I came back, I promised to myself that I will get it, this is mine),” the goalie said.

In playing a vital role for FEU en route to their four-peat championship, Rebosura secured the Best Midfielder after executing crucial plays all around the field.

The individual recognitions were given to each respective player after the Lady Tamaraw Booters successfully pulled off a historic four-peat as they defended their championship streak from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters.

On the other hand, DLSU’s Elisha Lubiano and Jodie Banzon bagged the Best Defender and Rookie of the Year, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University was given the Fair Play award, with Blue Eagle Jada Bicierro named as Best Striker in the tourney.

(Photos courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)