CITY OF IMUS — Judie Arevalo drilled in the winning goal, sending Far Eastern University to a third straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament, 1-0, over University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.
The ‘four-peat’-seeking Lady Tamaraws joined the De La Salle Lady Booters atop the standings with nine points, setting up a showdown on Saturday at 6:30 PM at the University of the Philippines Football Field.
The senior forward capitalized on a well-executed buildup involving Marienell Cristobal and Angel Egay to put FEU ahead in the 52nd minute.
Cristobal, who had been at the heart of the Lady Tamaraws’ offense since kickoff, finally found Egay inside the box.
Egay, maintaining her composure, attempted to finish, but the ball did not find the net.
Arevalo, however, was perfectly positioned to tap the ball home, securing the go-ahead goal.
“Ang naging problem naming nung start is hindi kami nag-solid eh do’n sa backline and do’n sa harapan. Ni-reserve talaga namin si Arevalo; kaya mahirap ‘pag wala ‘yung starter mo. Pero good adjustment during the second half, a lot of dangerous opportunities,” said long-time head coach Let Dimzon.
“Yun lang talaga, ‘yung understanding sa back, kasi marami kaming chances pero hindi talaga nila makita ‘yung target,” she went on.
“We want them to improve lang lagi every game, kasi from the very first game, nagiging maganda ‘yung result ng play namin. Kaya going into the La Salle game, improve lang nila ‘yung communication kasi do’n kami nagkukulang.”
UST had opportunities in both halves, but Rica Gerona in the first half and Jannah Santerva in the second could not break through the FEU defense.
The Lady Booters remain in third place with three points and a goal difference of -1 as they seek a bounce-back win against Ateneo in Saturday’s first match at 4:00 PM.
