CAVITE — Big wins from Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines spurred movements in the standings as De La Salle University managed another win to distance itself from the rest in the 14th week of the PFF Women’s League at the Training Center.
Nomads snap Stallion-Hiraya’s win streak with shock draw
Prior to this match, Stallion-Hiraya FC was on a hot streak, winning six matches in a row, only for it to be halted by Nomads FC when they forced Stallion-Hiraya to a 0-0 draw last weekend.
Plenty of Stallion-Hiraya’s usual scoring suspects were absent, which could explain the lack of any offensive output on their end as shots hit the post or went over.
“I knew it was a bit harder to get the win since a lot of our offensive threats were not available like Jennizel Cabalan, Marianne Narciso, Camille Rodriguez, Martie Bautista, and Natasha Alquiros. So we had to adjust to the situation and make the most out it,” said Philip Dinglasan.
Nomads tried to capitalize on their absence in the second half as they pressured their elder counterparts. But Haya Ibarra and Mariane Caparros made sure to hand Stallion-Hiraya its seventh clean sheet in eight matches. On Nomads’ part, Moira Lim was also superb in goal to deny Stallion-Hiraya any breakthrough.
“I hope the team take confidence from the result obviously. It’s been a learning curve for them. Defense and standards of goalkeeping are higher in this league, so if you get good chances you have to make sure you take them. But I was pleased with the way the team kept its shape, got back behind the ball when it was lost,” said Shane Cosgrove, who felt his team could have won the contest.
“Nomads prepared well for us, we have to give them credit. They shut us down very well. Not the ideal result but we gained a lot in the end. I saw the girls never gave up until the very last minutes. This is what we want — to develop good character and to push ourselves to the limits,” added Dinglasan.
Montilla hat-trick leads UP bombardment of Maroons
The nightmare of Maroons FC continues as it suffered an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of its sister team University of the Philippines.
An own goal in the 13th minute seemed to have spelled the doom for Maroons FC, as it conceded two more goals successively in the first half via Itsuko Bacatan in the 30th minute and Sofia Dungca two minutes later.
Two minutes into the second half, Alyssa Ube added another goal. Substitute Andrea Montilla then decided to take over with a hat-trick scored in the 64th, 66th and 84th minutes.
Kamea Mangrobang chipped in an 81st-minute goal en route to three massive points that have catapulted UP into the top half of the table.
“Results are just results. We are not aiming for the wins here in this league, but rather the improvements individually, as a group, and as a team, to prepare them for higher levels of competition. Winning and climbing up to the top are just bonuses,” insisted Franco Bambico.
The UP coach downplayed the match’s outcome in favor of his players’ promising growth.
“This is the result of gaining improvements in every single game. Before we just focused on individual improvements, but this second round we are looking for group improvements. And again, there are a lot of things to improve when it comes to group and still reminding the players to display good character in the pitch individually,” he added.
Double trouble strikes anew as Onrubia, Tolentin lead FEU in Tuloy rout
Another strong showing from Far Eastern University has allowed it to deal a deadly 10-0 blow to Tuloy FC, who has now dropped into the bottom half of the standings.
Dionesa Tolentin wasted no time getting herself and FEU on the scoresheet with a 7th-minute goal. She then scored two more at near full time to get herself a hat-trick.
Joyce Onrubia was goal-hungry herself, getting shots in the 12th, 20th, 29th, and 37th minutes. Her tally also placed her at the top of the league’s scoring leaders with a season-best of 16.
Mae Ann Caw-it, Samantha Green, and Glory Ann Lado rounded things out for FEU in the 26th, 66th, and 80th minutes.
The big result has allowed the Lady Tamaraws to overtake University of Santo Tomas at second by virtue of a stronger goal difference, a welcome development for Let Dimzon.
“I am very impressed with the performance of the team with the last three games, including the last game of the first round, which we also played against Tuloy. In the first round, I think ‘yung sinasabi ko lagi is ‘yung composure ng players and then mentality, especially in finishing [kulang]. Since we’re getting a lot of goals in the second round, I think nagwo-work na ‘yung lahat,” said a pleased Dimzon who remains cautious.
“We’re not yet sure about playing against a strong team like La Salle and UST, so ang ano ko lang is do not relax, and then always be composed and consistent dun sa ginagawa nila,” added the FEU coach.
Strong second half powers DLSU past GAU challenge
De La Salle University had to come from a goal down to beat Green Archers United FC 3-1 and keep its undefeated streak alive.
It seemed just like another day at the office for DLSU until Marinelle Cristobal shook them out of the ordinary with a 45th-minute strike to grab the lead for GAU. However, this came as no surprise to Alvin Ocampo, who made sure his charges rose to the challenge.
“It’s always hard to play against a team wherein the coach knows how you train. GAU scoring first was bound to happen since, in a lot of their games, they score first,” the DLSU coach said.
Sure enough, the Lady Archers responded and came out the blocks firing. Tejanee Isulat scored the equalizer in the 46th minute before Alisha Del Campo netted the go-ahead five minutes later. Substitute Arantxa Del Mundo capped it off with an 86th-minute goal to complete the turnaround and secure three more points to give DLSU a 9-point cushion at the top of the standings.
“We try to get the best combination and bring up the confidence of a lot of rookies. We have only ten upperclassmen and majority are rookies. This is a great avenue for them to get the mileage, especially in preparation for the UAAP,” shared Ocampo.
League Standings:
DLSU – 31 pts (+34 GD)
FEU – 22 pts (+39 GD)
UST- 22 pts (+28 GD)
Stallion-Hiraya – 20 pts (+7 GD)
UP – 14 pts (-4 GD)
Tuloy FC – 13 pts (-18 GD)
GAU FC – 12 pts (-18 GD)
Nomads FC – 8 pts (-18 GD)
Maroons FC – 8 pts (-31 GD)
Tigers FC – 4 pts (-19 GD)
On Deck
The PFF Women’s League will resume on Saturday, November 9, at the PFF National Football Center, with Far Eastern University playing University of the Philippines at 8:00 A.M., before University of Santo Tomas face Tuloy FC at 10:30 A.M.
On Sunday, November 10, Maroons FC will kick things off with Nomads FC at 8:00 A.M., followed by Stallion-Hiraya FC and De La Salle University at 10:30 A.M. Green Archers United FC then close things out against Tigers FC at 2:30 P.M.
