By Aine Peralta
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters staged an offensive masterclass to dismantle the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 4-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s football tournament before a late-game altercation resulted in three red-carded players earlier today, September 26, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.
The green-and-gold squad dictated the pace from the kickoff, as midfielder Iries Dela Cruz breached the defense in the fourth minute to open the scoring, 1-0.
Doubling the lead in the ninth minute, Morayta-based forward Julia Sacmar swiftly netted a goal, 2-0.
Meanwhile, FEU standout Judie Arevalo found the back of the net in the 30th minute, giving the team a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Arevalo continued her stellar form in the second half, completing her brace in the 71st minute to extend FEU’s lead to 4-0.
However, the dominant win turned heated when a physical altercation erupted between the two squads minutes before stoppage time.
Match officials issued red cards to FEU’s starting goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, defender Kristine Dela Peña, and midfielder Kyza Colina, as well as UP’s Mariel Sancho, Jessa Aranas, and Ainnah De Guzman, leaving three Lady Tamaraws dismissed from the match.
With head coach Let Dimzon absent, assistant coach Fitch Arboleda guided the team from the touchline, commending their overall execution despite the late disciplinary setback.
“Sobrang ganda ng pinakita ng mga players especially nung first half, so lahat ng goals namin [came] from our play (The players showed a really great performance, especially in the first half, so all of our goals came from our play),” he said in a post-game interview.
The assistant coach added that the team must learn to avoid on-field altercations to prevent suspensions in succeeding matches.
Arboleda also highlighted how to utilize the team's bench depth to address the foreseen suspensions.
“Well, that’s part of football. Ang maganda sa amin, meron kaming rotation of players. We’re trying to deal with our subs na in case mabigyan ng chance to play, same lang ang ibibigay nilang impact sa game,” he noted.
Reflecting on her two-goal performance, Arevalo took pride in helping the team secure the win following her previous absence.
“Masaya kasi naka-goal ako ng dalawa at nakatulong ako sa team. Gusto kong bumawi ngayong game kasi last game wala ako, kaya binigay ko ang lahat para makuha ‘yung panalo (I’m happy because I scored two goals and helped the team. I wanted to bounce back this game since I was out last game, so I gave everything to get the win),” she said.
Now on a 2-0 win-loss standing, FEU will look to sustain their winning momentum as they face the University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday, September 30, at the same venue.
(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)