Far Eastern University became the first team to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Final Four, easing past University of Santo Tomas, 5-1, on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Judie Arevalo set the tone in the fourth minute, slotting home her sixth goal of the campaign.
Marienell Cristobal doubled the defending champions’ lead with a 31st-minute penalty kick after a foul inside the box. Jelan Pabuaya then struck in the 39th minute to give FEU a commanding three-goal cushion at halftime.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UST pulled one back after the break, as Rica Gerona rewarded the Lady Booters’ persistence with a composed finish in the 67th minute.
However, FEU responded immediately. Kyza Colina restored the Lady Tamaraws’ three-goal lead just two minutes later, before Iries Dela Cruz capped the rout with a stoppage-time strike in the 90+4th minute.
“Yung consistency talaga namin sa training malaking factor yun,” said deputy coach Fitch Arboleda, who took charge with head coach Let Dimzon sidelined by illness. “At the same time, yung ginagawa naming training sa field talaga, hindi siya basta-basta. Talagang pinaghahanda namin every game na lalaro kami.”
The win raised FEU’s league-leading tally to 21 points, officially securing a top-two finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals with three matchdays to spare.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
It also extended the Lady Tamaraws’ unbeaten streak to 35 matches and their winning streak to 20, completing a season sweep of the Lady Booters following their 1-0 victory in the first round on September 30.
With the twice-to-beat advantage secured, Arboleda urged FEU to maintain its winning form for the remainder of the elimination round as the team aims to secure a sixth consecutive Finals appearance and trigger a stepladder postseason format.
“Actually, yung gusto namin makuha pa is yung sweep, kasi I think mas malaki yung advantage. Because if ma-sweep mo, you go straight to finals,” said the former University of the East men’s football team head coach. “Yun yung gusto naming i-aim for this round.”
Both teams return to action on Wednesday at the same venue, with UST taking on Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 PM. FEU’s clash with University of the Philippines follows at 7:00 PM.
