By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Booters concluded their Season 86 eliminations round with a win against the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 7-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women's football tourney tonight, May 4, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

Three green-and-gold players had a brace or double goals, starting with Sarah Tulabing’s goals in the first half at the 22nd and 45th minute.

During a post-game interview, the Tamaraw midfielder credited their coach’s system and their motivation to commit more goals for her brace in the match.

“Siguro po ‘yung pinapagawa po ni coach ‘yung, which is system po, ina-apply lang po namin sa game kung ano po ‘yung pinapagawa niya. So, ayon, lumabas po ‘yung system na pinapagawa po ni coach. Tapos ‘yung sa sabi naman ni coach kanina, dapat po talaga mas marami kaming goal kasi ‘yun ‘yung kulang namin eh, ‘yung finishing po talaga (We just applied the coach’s system in the game, so the system reflected and what coach told us to do. And with what coach said, we should have more goals because that’s what we lack in finishing),” Tulabing said.

In the start of the second half, Judie Arevalo pitched in back to back goals on the 53- and 58-minute mark off the bench.

Team Captain Dionesa Tolentin completed the triple brace with a penalty kick 69 minutes into the second half and another goal at the 82nd minute.

FEU Head Coach Let Dimzon commended the improvement of the second stringers after today’s match result.

“So they performed well, actually there’s a lot of improvement from individual players, halos lahat ng mga second stringers namin, so nag-sho-show up sila for every games namin, and I think ayun ‘yung pinaka-magandang bagay kasi even [if] I challenge them, even before, na if ever mabigyan sila ng chance na makapasok, kailangan nilang gawin lahat para ma-ge-gauge namin siya kung sino yung ipapasok namin once it comes to the games d’on sa finals (So they performend well, there’s actually a lot of improvement from individual players, almost all of our second stringers, they show up for every game and I think that's the best thing because even if I challenge them, even before, that if they ever get the chance to play, they need to give it their all so we could gauge on who we will include once it comes to the finals games),” she stated.

Lady Booter Carmela Altiche scored off the bench for the winning team in the 86th minute to end the match at 7-0.

The Diliman-based team ends the eliminations round with a clean 8-0-0 win-draw-loss record and will face the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters for their finals meet on Friday, May 10, at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

(Photo by Gwyneth Mendoza/FEU Advocate)