As defending champion Far Eastern University romped University of the Philippines 4-1 last Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament, there was an interested observer in the stands – Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso.
The former Western United mentor watched as the Lady Tamaraws came back from a goal down to eventually sink the Fighting Maroons as well as book the first ticket in this year’s final.
Turns out, it was not the first time he was able to observe both programs up close.
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“They’ve been very good actually,” said Torcaso. “We came and watched both of these teams train. Watched a couple of the club teams train and now it’s good seeing them play in a competition game.
“And obviously, there’s a couple of players there that have been part of the national team previously and it’s good to see them out there playing. Yeah, it’s been good the last few days.”
Torcaso is not averse to calling up players from the UAAP.
He fielded De La Salle University duo Shai del Campo and Anicka Castañeda during the 19th Asian Games in China.
Meanwhile, he recently called up FEU forward Dionesa Tolentin for the Filipinas’ recent 2024 Pinatar Cup campaign.
For the 42-year-old Australian mentor, this is simply part of building the best possible team he can to represent the country on the international stage.
“Yeah, it’s very I think it’s very very important that we don’t single out or just segregate certain players. We should look at every single player regardless if they’re in the Philippines or abroad,” he said.
“As you can see there are some talented players here and Inday (Tolentin) was excellent when she came into camp the last camp prior to South Korea. She really matched it and you know, there’re opportunities for every single player,” he added.
“As long as they’re performing in training well regularly, you know my eyes are on obviously everyone to give them an opportunity.”
On the side of the Lady Tamaraws, it is safe to say they did everything they could to impress Torcaso.
It was not every day that the current national team coach would come into the FEU campus and observe how the school’s program was run.
As the former national team coach herself, Let Dimzon was pleased with how her players reacted when they were being watched by her latest successor.
“Actually nanood siya,” said Dimzon. “I think sabi ko sa mga players na they have to be focused kasi baka yan yung chance nila to be scouted. Also, siyempre, nandiyan yung head coach ng national team so you need to show up.
“And then siyempre, nandun na sa kanila yung masyadong mataas yung intensity nung training that time. Sabi ko, ano to, nagpapakitang gilas? But it’s a good sign they are there not just to train but to impress the head coach of the senior national team.”
With Torcaso’s eyes on them, the Lady Tamaraws could have felt the pressure to overdo things to impress him during training and in the game against the Fighting Maroons.
Ultimately, though, they just played their usual game. For now, the outcome meant that they brought FEU back to the final. In the long term, maybe a few of them will be called up to represent the country in future friendlies and tournaments.
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“Pumunta po siya nung training namin nung Wednesday po. So happy po na nandito si Coach Mark. Nanood din po siya ng game namin. Kahit nandito po siya, hindi po ako nagpapadala sa pressure basta maipakita ko po yung laro ko,” said Tolentin.
“First of all, pasalamat lang ako sa team kasi nag-wo-work kaming lahat,” said rookie Tiffany Trinidad. “Teamwork yung ginawa namin tsaka pasalamat din ako kay coach kasi nilagay din kami. Happy din ako kase dahil sa mga teammates ko, na-co-compose namin yung game.”
