With the Capital1 Solar Strikers being the newest addition to the upcoming Philippine Football Federation Women’s League (PFFWL) 2025 season, Far Eastern University (FEU) champion head coach Let Dimzon is set to take the helm of the squad boasting 10 Lady Tamaraw Booters on its roster.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Dimzon acknowledged the mixed emotions in having to spearhead a newly established franchise, but emphasized her gratitude for the opportunity.

“It's a mix of excitement and challenge to take on this role, but I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to guide this team. While it comes with great responsibility, I am confident that with the strong support system around me and the talented group of players we have, we will have the opportunity and potential to grow,” she said.

Among the green-and-gold athletes to join Coach Let are University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) awardees, namely Season 85 Rookie of the Year (ROY) and Best Midfielder Regine Rebosura, Season 86 ROY Judie Arevalo, and Season 87 Best Goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria.

Midfielders Althea Rebosura, Sarahgen Tulabing, and Kyza Colina, forward Len Cristobal, defender Merry Lou Soriano, goalie Jessa May Lehayan, and upcoming rookie Christine Dela Peña then complete the list of Morayta-based reinforcements.

Other standouts to be part of the lineup are University of Santo Tomas (UST) assistant coach Hazel Lustan, De La Salle University’s Lyka Teves, and foreign players Emma Young and Arianna Del Moral.

The Solar Strikers will compete against the University of the Philippines, UST, Makati Football Club (FC), Stallion Laguna FC Philippines, and Dimzon’s past club and defending champions, Kaya FC-Iloilo, in a double round-robin format.

FEU was one of the contending teams from the beginning of the PFFWL in 2016 until its fourth installment last 2023, with its best finish being the silver podium in the 2019-2020 season.

With the Lady Tamaraw Booters having the chance to compete once again but in different threads, Coach Let mentioned how this experience can be vital for their development.

“This provides them with valuable exposure and helps them prepare for the UAAP preseason,” she stated.

Meanwhile, the green-and-gold booters expressed their joy in still being under Dimzon’s tutelage and having teammates they already built chemistry with.

“Hindi na ako mahihirapan… Si Coach [Let] ay very detailed kapag nagbibigay ng instructions, and sa mga FEU teammates ko naman, mayroon na kaming pagkakaintindihan kasi matagal na kaming magkakasama (I won’t struggle anymore… Coach Let is very detailed when giving instructions and for my FEU teammates, we already have an understanding because we have been together for long),” Season 86 ROY Arevalo said.

Reigning UAAP top goalie Elauria also highlighted how they can utilize their Tamaraw spirit in competing.

“Entering the league with the Tamaraw mentality na hindi nagpapatalo, I would give my very best every game pa din kasi just because I’m not playing for FEU, mawawala na ‘yung pride and mentality to win every game and also perform well din,” she shared.

Another step for women’s sports

As the PFFWL nears its opening this Women’s Month on March 22, Dimzon and the Lady Tamaraw Booters pointed out the value of progressing women’s sports.

“This is perfect timing, as the [PFFWL] kicks off during Women’s Month. This platform offers female players from clubs and universities the opportunity to compete and gain exposure at the national level… I hope this inspires more young female footballers to develop the love for the sport,” Coach Let stated.

Elauria specified how the league can be a stepping stone for women athletes in general.

“Here in our country, hindi naman talaga ma-deny na medyo hindi nare-recognize si (we can’t deny that people don’t really recognize) football so [PFFWL] is also a stepping stone for other athletes not just UAAP, [be]cause women athletes deserve also to be in the spotlight and [be] recognized,” she added.

Team owners Milka and Mandy Romero had similar sentiments, stating the development of women’s sports as one of their main reasons for joining the league.

“I especially want to empower women in sports because ang daming talented athletes na kailangan lang ng right opportunity para mag-excel (there’s a lot of talented athletes that only need the right opportunity to excel),” Milka Romero said in their official press conference last March 12.

Officially kicking off at the newly opened Mall of Asia Football Pitch in Pasay City, the PFFWL is a national competition featuring various clubs in women’s association football, aiming to give athletes exposure and help teams prepare for other tournaments.

(Photo courtesy of John Mauricio)