By Vince Matthew Jaramilla
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters sustained their undefeated record as they took care of business against first-year squad National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 5-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s football tournament earlier today, October 14, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.
FEU forward Angel Egay opened through NU’s defense, scoring an easy point from midfielder Kyza Colina’s cross toward the goal area in the 11th minute, 1-0.
Colina doubled the Morayta squad’s lead at the 28-minute mark, finding the gap within the Lady Bulldogs’ backline amid a scramble, 2-0.
In the 39th minute, midfielder Althea Rebosura further increased the Lady Tamaraw Booters’ lead with another strike. Just six minutes later, defender Kristine Dela Peña’s free kick connected with forward Judie Arevalo near the goal to sit at a comfortable score of 4-0 at halftime.
Unlike their dominant first half, the green-and-gold squad’s second period took a slower pace as their younger lineup struggled to score past the blue-and-gold team’s defensive pressure.
It was not until the 83rd minute that FEU scored their next and final strike, with midfielder Tiffany Trinidad converting center back Jhoean Jalnaiz’s feed right in front of NU’s goal to end the game up, 5-0.
Despite the blowout win, the Lady Tamaraw Booters subdued their celebration after every goal, a mindset that assistant coach Fitch Arboleda attributed to their focus on continuously scoring.
“Gusto talaga namin makakuha pa ng mas madaming score. We don’t want na parang maging [comfortable] na score, we relax. Once they score, [they] get the ball, then get another one. Nandun lang talaga kami sa target namin today to get a win [and] score more in preparation for the next games (We really want to get even more points. We don’t want to relax once we get a comfortable score. Once they score, they get the ball and get another one. We’re really just on our target today to get a win and score more in preparation for the next games),” he said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.
The Morayta-based tactician then elaborated on how they manage the player rotation to weather through the tight second round schedule ahead.
“We try to manage talaga ‘yung subs para hindi kami mahirapan going through dun sa schedule… I think ‘yung importante sa’min talaga is ma-maintain lang ‘yung panalo and ‘yung health din talaga, ‘yung injuries ng mga bata (We really try to manage the subs so we won’t struggle going through the schedule. I think what’s really important for us is to maintain the success and the health, the injuries of the kids),” he added.
Arboleda also commended the Lady Bulldogs for their toughness despite being newcomers with a short-handed roster.
“‘Yung players nila ngayon [are] doing [a] good job na ma-maintain, matapos ‘yung game. With injuries [and] the number of subs, maganda ‘yung resilience ng mga bata pero sana matapos nila ‘yung season kasi kanina, 12 na lang sila eh, so ‘yung ayaw natin diyan is madisgrasya (Their current players are doing a good job to maintain and finish the game. With injuries and the number of subs, the kids’ resilience is good, but I hope they finish the season because they’re just 12 earlier, so what we don’t want is for anyone to get injured),” the assistant coach remarked.
With a league-leading 6-0 win-loss card, the Let Dimzon-led squad will attempt to extend their flawless run against University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, October 17, at the same venue.
(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)