By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booter Dionesa Tolentin chipped in two goals against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 4-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s football tourney held earlier today, April 13, at the UP Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.

The green-and-gold team captain created two goals during the 84th minute and the 90th minute of the match in securing the victory over the league’s third-seeded team.

FEU took early ball possession as they kept pressure on the defense of the Fighting Maroons with two corner kicks.

Despite executing a high-caliber offense, the Tolentin-captained team failed to block off the 41st minute goal of UP’s Kamea Victoria Mangrobang in open defense.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Tolentin acknowledged her responsibility as the team captain to motivate the whole FEU team.

“Kahit po naka-score po sila nang una sa’min, ‘yung motivation ko as a team captain [is] syempre ako po dapat ‘yung unang mag-step up to encourage my teammate[s] na kaya namin na habulin at kaya namin na maipanalo ‘yung game (Even though they scored first against us, my motivation as a team captain is to of course be the first one to step up to encourage my teammates that we can catch up and we can win the game),” she said.

The green-and-gold squad quickly answered back as Tolentin assisted midfielder Carmela Altiche to hold the game into a 1-1 tie, just within a two-minute difference at the 43-minute mark.

After many attempts of aiming past Maroon goalie Eunice Eduave in the game, FEU forward Judie Rose Arevalo outplayed UP’s strong post defense by scoring a goal during the 54th minute.

Throughout the second half, the Lady Tams went back-and-forth to sustain their lead and shut opportunities against the Diliman squad. 

Despite being satisfied with the team’s performance, FEU head coach Dimzon also mentioned that there are still improvements that must be made as they aim to defend their championship title this season.

“Kailangan pa rin na ma-improve ‘yung finishing kasi we have a lot of chances pa rin during the second half na hindi namin na-coconvert into scoring [or] into goals (We still have to improve our finishing because we still have a lot of chances during the second half that we were not able to convert into scoring or into goals),” the winning coach shared.

FEU stands at a 5-0-0 win-draw-loss card and will seek to press the University Santo Tomas Lady Booters to punch a secured spot in the Finals next Saturday, April 20, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of Patrick Pampilon/FEU Athletics Department)