By Andrei M. Barrante

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters overcame their most challenging opponent yet after averting an early deadlock to defeat the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 3-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s football tournament earlier today, October 26, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City. 

The Lady Tamaraws took the wheel early in the match, repeatedly puncturing the UP defense within the penalty box.

After repeated missed goals from the green shirts, Regine Rebosura got the first crack at the scoreboard after netting a quick goal off an assist from team captain Inday Tolentin at the 17th minute. 

FEU kept the pressure on both ends of the field, disrupting UP’s passing lanes and making the backline presence felt along with green-and-gold keeper Jessa Lehayan.

In the 36th minute, FEU’s streak of zero opposing points came to an end as UP’s Hannah Marie Muros drew a penalty and connected on the kick to halt the deficit, 1-1.

With eagerness to respond, Tolentin maneuvered the Diliman-based backline to tuck away her first goal of the afternoon at the second additional minute of the half.

The recent Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League booter for Kaya-Iloilo completed her first brace of the season in the second half after once again penetrating the rallying UP defense in the 57th minute.

In a post-game interview, Tolentin acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in finishing but showed no hesitation in expressing their collective commitment to improving.

“The past three days na training nag-focus kami sa finishing, kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-lapse namin. Now, na-apply naman namin, pero kulang pa talaga. So sobrang saya [ko] sa teammates ko kasi ‘yung hard work nandoon, ‘yung work ethic nila, pinapakita nila (The past three days of training were focused on finishing because those were our biggest lapses. We managed to apply them tonight, but it is still not enough. That’s why I am so happy for my teammates because their hard work and work ethic are there),” she said.

With their dominant victory against UP, the green-and-gold squad overtook De La Salle University in the standings via goal difference. 

According to head coach Let Dimzon, all efforts will now go to refocusing the team ahead of their round one closer against the Taft-based lady booters.

“We need to refocus ulit ‘yung (again the) team. This is not the end of the first round, we need to win that game for us to be able na ma-secure ‘yung (to secure the) top spot,” she said.

The Tolentin-led squad stands firm on the top of the standings with a 3-0-0 win-draw-loss record as they prepare for a finals rematch against De La Salle University on October 30 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)