The Far Eastern University Women’s Football Team claimed their second PFF Women’s Cup crown last Sunday after defeating their counterparts from De La Salle University with the score of 2-1. Team captain Alesa Dolino reckons that the opening day disappointment has driven them to succeed eventually.
FEU had a sour 1-0 loss against Green Archers United Women in their first game of the tournament. The nature of the loss was difficult to accept as the current UAAP champions dominated the match but were undone by a first minute goal scored by GAU’s Milka Romero. Eager to bounce back, FEU followed up their sorry loss by winning their next six games, including games in the knockout rounds.
After their last win in the final against La Salle, Dolino bared relief in finding a way to beat a then unbeaten DLSU team. “Actually, mahirap talunin ang team ng La Salle,” whom she taught were a very solid team entering the finals. Her long range goal, which she deems to be a lucky shot, just after the game was resumed shocked their opponents right away and ended up vital in securing a successful title defense.
Asked about what changed from their opening game defeat up to their victory in the final, Dolino highlighted the importance of training. As a result, she thinks the team had sharpened a couple of important aspects to their game. “Iyong passing namin po tapos ‘yung finishing sa goal,” the tournament MVP and Best Defender notably observed improvement in her team.
With another championship under their belts, the FEU Lady Tamaraws have also been offered the privilege of representing the country in an upcoming invitational tournament to be staged in Vietnam. Always proud to play for her school and the motherland, Dolino feels more pride than ever with the imminent stint in the other side of the region. “Sobrang saya po kasi school po namin ‘yung nirerepresent, pati ‘yung country po,” she enthused.
FEU has been an established powerhouse in women’s football in recent years and it appears that their glory days are far from over just yet. Dolino and the rest of her teammates are only focused in one goal now that the PFF Women’s Cup. Just like all other teams who aspire to dethrone them, the Lady Tamaraws target to excel in the UAAP for their fourth straight championship. Not willing to get carried away, Dolino simply looks forward to training sessions that could help them keep another important title.
