By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Booters holds up undefeated title before finals reappearance in win versus the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters, 3-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women's football tourney tonight, April 27, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

DLSU took the first blood in the early half with a hard earned goal by Alisha Del Campo on the 26-minute mark after multiple unsuccessful attempts.

Lady Tamaraws Erma Balacua and Althea Rebosura answered back with consecutive goals in the 33rd and 43rd minute, respectively.

In a post game interview, rookie Rebosura recalled the team’s hardwork in preparation for their performance in the match.

“Syempre ‘yung performance talaga namin, syempre pinaghandaan namin sa training namin, nakinig kami sa system ni coach, [at] syempre sa hardwork ng team namin, syempre sama sama talaga para may pagkakaisa talaga o unity (We really prepared for our performance, we listened to the coach’s system, and of course, the team's hard work formed unity),” she shared.

During the second half, Team Captain Dionesa Tolentin took charge and secured a winning goal in the 50th minute.

FEU Head Coach Let Dimzon shared her thoughts on the team’s undefeated stance in the league, as well as the importance of their second stringers in today's match.

“Syempre masaya [ako] dahil wala pa kaming talo but again, sabi ko nga, ‘yung objective namin ngayon dahil since alam namin na may sure spot na kami for the finals, ‘yung objective namin is to keep ‘yung winning streak namin na hindi kami matalo, pero ayun nga, we have to give them also time d’on sa mga second stringer namin na makalaro (Of course I’m happy because we don't have any losses but again, our current objective, since we know that we have a sure spot in the finals, is to keep our winning streak and to not have any losses, but then again, we also have to give time to our second stringers so they could play),” she said.

In the same interview, she also praised the performance of Althea and Regine Rebosura in getting good passes for the team.

“Highlight ko lang talaga ‘yung performance ng dalawang Rebosura, so actually sila talaga ‘yung nagdala d’on sa harapan eh, so they have a lot of good passes saka ‘yung chemistry ng dalawa, so we had a lot of chances din in front because of their passes (I would like to highlight the performance of both Rebosuras, so actually they were the front runners, so they had a lot of good passes and chemistry, so we had a lot of chances in the front because of them),”

The Tolentin-led squad sits on a clean 7-0-0 win-draw-loss record and will face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles next Saturday, May 4, at the same venue to end the eliminations round.

(Photo by Zedrich Kalyx Madrid/FEU Advocate)