Buoyed by the full points from two matches, University of Santo Tomas was rewarded with a return to second place in the 2019-20 PFF Women’s League season on 34 points, just behind De La Salle University and two points better than Far Eastern University.
Tigers happy to ditch bottom place after topping Maroons
If there is a team aching to get out of last place, it would be Tigers FC, who seized the opportunity when they met and bested the struggling Maroons FC, 2-1, in the latter’s field in Diliman.
The Tigers jumped the gun on the hosts when they dominated the first half, resulting in goals from Judy Mae Prado in the 10th minute followed by Pauline Lorque in the 33rd.
A halftime pep talk seemed to rejuvenate the Maroons, with Eva Barnes netting a goal soon after the restart. The Tigers scrambled to hang on to their lead, and were almost undone when an Ikee Aquino attempt hit the post.
The junior squad from Espanya eventually escaped with the three points, effectively switching places with the Maroons for the 9th and 10th spots.
“Lagi namin sinasabi sa mga bata na kailangan talaga na hindi mag-relax. Kailangan talaga lumaban every time na lalaro tayo kasi ina-achieve na lang natin na hindi tayo maging bottom at masabayan namin ‘yung UST na team. Kung panalo sila, dapat kami panalo din,” revealed coach Geraldine Cabrera who was happy her wards met the challenge.
Indac late goal breaks UP heart as UST snatches win
A tightly-contested affair saw University of Santo Tomas edging out University of the Philippines, 1-0, as tensions run high with the UAAP collegiate season closing in at the UP Football Field in Diliman.
Both UP and UST were fresh out of their respective pre-UAAP training camps and were gung-ho at putting all their learnings to use. This led to a virtual tug-of-war with momentum seesawing to each side.
When it looked like the match would end in a draw, a disguised UST push caught keeper Roxanne Eduave flatfooted, allowing Mary Joy Indac’s strike to go unhindered. Moments later, the final whistle confirming that UST had stolen a win.
“Maganda at masaya ‘yung game. Siguro medyo aangat ‘yung morale dahil malakas ‘yung UP and then nakasabay kami and nanalo pa, kahit sabihin natin na sobrang hirap na hirap kami manalo,” admitted coach Aging Rubio who made sure to credit UP.
“‘Yung thought lang na naipanalo namin kahit ganun ka-intense ‘yung game, malakas din ‘yung team. Siguro may maibubuga rin pala talaga kami, so kailangan lang talaga naming paghirapan at hindi tumigil lumaban. So ‘yun ‘yung nakikita kong puwede naming babaunin hanggang sa mag-UAAP,” she added.
UST gets clinical with Tigers for second straight victory
The Espanya derby saw University of Santo Tomas outclassing their junior counterparts Tigers FC with a 5-0 rout at Moro Lorenzo Field in Katipunan.
Shelah Mae Cadag led the way with a strike in the 20th minute, before fellow veteran Mary Joy Indac chipped in another fifteen minutes later.
In the second half, both goal scorers were subbed out, which handed scoring and leadership duties to younger members of the team. Still, Cadag did not worry.
“Naniniwala naman ako sa kanila na meron pa rin silang winning mentality kahit nawala ako sa loob kasi ‘yan ang training namin — na kahit sino man mawala, mananalo pa din kasi [tiwala ko na] lahat sila magagaling,” said the captain.
UST struggled at length without their veterans, but eventually settled down late. Substitutes Mika Punzalan and Renalyn Pangaya scored in the 81st and 90th minutes, alongside Kristine Joy Abo-abo’s contribution in the 87th minute.
“Hindi naman kailangan na ako talaga ang una maka-scrore. Mag-lead lang ako sa loob at sundin lang nila kung ano ‘yung tama. Determination lang at patience ko as captain kasi ‘di naman lahat ng teammates ko na nasa loob perfect, so kailangan lang talaga ng tiyaga at sipag na din para kusang silang gumalaw dahil nakita nila ako na nagtatrabaho for the team,” added Cadag.
League Standings:
DLSU – 41 pts (+48 GD)
UST- 34 pts (+38 GD)
FEU – 32 pts (+54 GD)
Stallion-Hiraya – 24 pts (+10 GD)
UP – 21 pts (-3 GD)
Tuloy FC – 19 pts (-18 GD)
GAU FC – 15 pts (-26 GD)
Nomads FC – 12 pts (-35 GD)
Tigers FC – 10 pts (-28 GD)
Maroons FC – 9 pts (-40 GD)
On Deck
The PFF Women’s League continues on Saturday, February 1, with University of the Philippines and De La Salle University meeting first at 8:00 A.M. followed by Tuloy FC and Maroons FC at 10:30 A.M.
On Sunday, February 2, Stallion-Hiraya FC will clash against University of Santo Tomas at 8:00 A.M. with Nomads FC and Green Archers United FC following next at 10:30 A.M before Far Eastern University and Tigers FC end the day at 2:30 P.M.
On Wednesday, February 5, Maroons FC faces University of Santo Tomas at 7:00 A.M. before Tigers FC takes on University of the Philippines at 9:10 A.M.
