By: Nicole Parallag
Far Eastern University kept its championship drive alive, clinching a fifth straight finals appearance with a 2-0 victory over the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
Now sitting firmly at the top of the standings with 15 points and a +12 goal difference, the defending champions will enter the November 15 final aiming for their 14th title overall — further solidifying their status as the league’s most successful women’s football program.
“Actually, UST didn’t control much of the ball in the first half. We just had poor execution,” said assistant coach Fitch Arboleda, who took charge as head coach Let Dimzon was absent due to the flu.
“The challenge for us today was there were seven sick players, including Coach Let. But it’s a good thing that the substitute players today stepped up, and it was a good thing they adjusted coming into the second half. We wish that we remain unbeaten and still get the championship in the end.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
After a tightly contested opening half, Judie Arevalo finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute — mirroring her first-round heroics against UST in FEU’s 1-0 win last October 1.
The 20-year-old forward from Iloilo pounced on a costly error by goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia and calmly slotted the ball home.
Just two minutes later, Regine Rebosura doubled FEU’s lead, effectively sealing the victory and sending the Lady Tamaraws back to the championship stage.
FEU will aim to extend its five-game winning streak when it faces the University of the Philippines on Saturday at 6:30 PM, again at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
“That’s still our mindset,” Arboleda added. “We know that we can finish strong in our remaining games. We wish to remain unbeaten and still get the championship in the end.”
For UST, Rica Gerona came closest to finding the opener just before halftime, but Lady Tamaraws goalkeeper Jessa Lehayan was quick to react and denied the attempt.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Booters continued to struggle in the second half, unable to breach FEU’s well-organized defensive line that consistently turned away every threat.
Still in third place with five points and a -3 goal difference, UST will return to action against De La Salle University on November 5 at 4:00 PM, also at the UP Diliman pitch.
With two matches left and La Salle already holding 12 points in second place, UST has now been officially eliminated from final contention.
