By Joshua Kyle Beltran

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters trampled the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 5-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s football tourney earlier today, September 27, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite.

Just two minutes in, FEU forward Judie Arevalo set the tone for the match as she nicked a close header right over the crossbar.

Ateneo was quick to capitalize on this opportunity as the Lady Tamaraws were outrun by Jada Bicierro with a swift strike in the tenth minute.

With their feet hot, it was not long until Arevalo redeemed her missed goal, tipping the ball at the 19-minute mark.

The blue-and-white squad started crumbling under pressure as Morayta-based midfielder Regine Rebosura showed off her crafty footwork, scoring a brace in the 30th and 33rd minutes. 

The brace train went on as Arevalo scored yet another goal three minutes later, sealing the first half at 4-1.

It was only a walk in the park for the green-and-gold booters from this moment on as rookie Knayeza Abellar chipped in a crafty dink over the keeper at the 53-minute mark.

A handful of successful slide tackles later, FEU continued to ease throughout the second half with steady pacing.

Ateneo’s hopes at a goal started to dwindle as the Let Dimzon-led squad stayed firm with their physicality, comfortably ending the game at 5-1.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Coach Let emphasized the missed chances despite their steady offense.

“Actually, maganda ‘yung attacking… Although marami pa sanang goal during the first half, pero hindi nila naka-capitalize (Our attacks were good... We could have scored more, but we weren’t able to capitalize on them),” she stated.

After four comfortable goals in the first half, the lead tactician then pointed out her aim to even out the playing time and instill confidence in her bench players.

“Wala masyadong improvement doon sa substitution, kasi ang pinaka-objective ko is to give them playing time, especially doon sa mga second stringer… Kung ‘yung second stringer ko [ay] magkaroon talaga ng confidence, at least hindi ako mahihirapan sa rotation (There was not much improvement after the substitution, because my goal was to give them playing time, especially for the second stringers… Once they have confidence, I will not have a hard time rotating them),” Dimzon said.

Now at a 2-0-0 win-draw-loss record, the Lady Tamaraw Booters seek to maintain their hot streak as they face the University of Santo Tomas on October 1 at the same venue.(Photo by Thea Danielle Morin/FEU Advocate)