By Joshua Kyle Beltran
Lady Tamaraw Booters Judie Arevalo’s brace and Tiffany Trinidad’s hat-trick put an end to the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles’ short-lived Final Four run, 5-1, as Far Eastern University (FEU) advances to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s football Finals earlier today, November 6, at the Rizal Memorial Football Pitch in Manila City.
Arevalo completed her brace in the first minute of first-half stoppage time and the 51st minute, while Trinidad’s hat-trick came at the 58th, 68th, and 88th minutes. The match also marked Ateneo’s first-ever Final Four appearance.
Despite scoring three goals, Trinidad acknowledged the team’s technical lapses in previous games, which they cleaned up in training to strengthen their form in the Finals.
“Madami kaming mistakes, kaya binabawi namin siya sa training, tapos ina-apply namin dito kasi gusto talaga namin makabawi para sa Finals at para makuha rin namin ‘yung five-peat (We make plenty of mistakes, so we work on them during training and apply it here because we want to be ready for the Finals),” she shared in a post-game interview.
Despite creating several opportunities upfront, FEU struggled to convert their chances as the team’s shots either went wide or were disrupted by the Blue Eagles’ defense.
Just as the first half was seemingly coming to an end at nil-nil, Arevalo finally converted one of Jelan Pabuaya’s many one-two combinations, sending the ball over Ateneo keeper Brielle Baca, 1-0.
Now hot on their feet, the Lady Tamaraw Booters wasted no time as Arevalo found the back of the net once more to complete her brace and extend their lead, 2-0.
With the Katipunan-based squad’s defense now seemingly scrambled, green-and-gold team captain Sarahgen Tulabing launched a long pass to Trinidad for their third goal just seven minutes later, 3-0.
Trinidad matched Arevalo’s brace as a wide-open strike left Ateneo’s Baca on the ground once more, 4-0.
Just as the Morayta booters were winding down the clock, Trinidad fired a long shot to complete her hat-trick and clinch the win, despite Ateneo’s consolation goal at the 92nd minute courtesy of Jada Bicierro, 5-1.
In a separate interview, FEU head coach Let Dimzon credited Arevalo and Trinidad’s goals to the execution of quality passes.
“Actually, na-create ‘yung chances na ‘yun (those chances were created) because of the quality passes, ‘yung short passes, and the movement from the front,” she explained.
Still, the lead tactician admitted that the team was not as organized in the first half.
“Very chaotic ‘yung first half, and then very stressful for me. But the adjustment during the second half: ‘yung early goal na ‘yun, and then the quality passes: I cannot see during the first half, ‘yung passes na ‘yun. But now, most of them are moving; wala nang standing football, so it works (Our adjustment worked: the early goal, the quality passes which I did not see in the first half),” Dimzon said.
Finally avenging their first loss in three years, FEU will face the winner of the match between University of the Philippines and De La Salle University in the Finals next Friday, November 13, at the same venue.
(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)