By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters prevailed against long-time rivals De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters, 2-1, to conclude the first elimination round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women's football tourney earlier tonight, October 4, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

The green-and-gold booters started slow in the first half despite senior Regine Rebosura and team captain Jonela Albiño’s collective efforts to hit the net.

However, FEU gained a disadvantage as DLSU midfielder Maegan Alforque scored ahead of the Lady Tamaraw Booters 31 minutes into the game.

Green-and-white striker Elishia Lubiano then received a yellow card in the 44th minute, granting green-and-gold forward Marienell Cristobal a penalty kick which she successfully scored right before halftime.

The game remained stagnant in the first few minutes of the second half with missed goal attempts and fouls handed to both sides of the field.

35 minutes into the second half, the game intensified for both the Morayta-hailing and Taft-based teams, but Angel Egay secured the win for the FEU squad with a long shot at the 80-minute mark.

During a post-game interview, head coach Let Dimzon commended Egay’s game-winning shot at the height of the intense second half.

“It was a good shot at the right moment, at the right time [and] ang ganda ng delivery ng shot so I think ayun talaga ‘yung nagpa-boost din [sa team] (the delivery of the shot was good so I think that is also what boosted the team),” she shared.

With Player of the Game Rebosura and captain Albiño stepping up, the lead tactician shared that their seniority adds to their responsibility as the new leaders of the team.

“Senior moments, so ayun lang. Kailangan lang talaga nila [to] be responsible lang talaga with regarding their teammates since sila na ‘yung nilu-look up ng mga players, so kailangan nila to stand as a leader and as a team captain (Senior moments, so they have to be responsible with regards to their teammates since they are the ones being looked up to by the players, so they have to stand as a leader and as a captain),” Dimzon said.

After four games, the Dimzon-led football team finished the first round with a 4-0-0 win-draw-loss record and will suit up for the second round of the tournament which is yet to be announced as of writing.

(Photo by Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate)