CAVITE — The second round of the PFF Women’s League took off last weekend and the four top teams De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Stallion-Hiraya FC stay on course with uncontested wins.
Stalemate forces Tuloy and UP to share spoils
Tuloy FC are still in the process of finding their early season form but were hindered by a retooled University of the Philippines, denying them three points after a 1-1 draw.
The youngsters of Tuloy have proven once again that they can compete with the best as Lanie Ortillo put Tuloy ahead of the collegiate team after finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute.
Stacey Arthur who has transferred from Maroons FC saved UP the blushes as she leveled terms in the 38th minute to force a truce.
Jayson Turco thought his charges did enough even when it meant relinquishing points and splitting it with UP.
“Binigay naman ng players yung best nila, pero pagbubutihan namin sa susunod,” promised the Tuloy coach.
His counterpart Franco Bambico shared similar sentiments as he pointed out that his side is a work in progress with new players joining the mix.
“Definitely better than losing. There were moments that the team displayed brilliance and we met our objectives. Still, there are a lot of things to be fixed and a lot to be improved on,” he said.
Teves nets four as La Salle blasts Tigers
Things continue to go well for De La Salle University with their rookies settling down and delivering an unchallenged 5-0 victory over Tigers FC.
Of these rookies, Angelica Teves is turning into a budding star as she struck four times in the contest, particularly in the 8th, 41st, 55th and 72nd minutes, the most by any player in a single match this season.
“It’s an indication of the team gelling better and the rookies maturing a bit,” said a pleased Hans-Peter Smit.
Alisha Del Campo, the team’s scoring leader, chipped in another goal in the 30th minute which helped extend La Salle’s winning streak to seven matches, a feat Smit wants to downplay.
“We are not thinking of the winning streak, we’re more after achieving three points every game. We’re just taking every game in stride. We need to finish each game stronger than when we started,” he said.
Stallion-Hiraya stretch streak after turning the tables on GAU
Fate has been kind to Stallion-Hiraya FC, who are currently enjoying a six-match run, avenging a heartbreaking first round loss to Green Archers United FC with a 3-0 rout.
“I think we’re still lucky, I mean it was unfortunate that GAU had some uniform issues so their new recruits were not able to play. It worked to our advantage though and we did make the most out of it,” said Stallion-Hiraya boss Philip Dinglasan.
The Makati-based club pressured their Alabang-based counterparts early, aware that they were lacking substitutes. This resulted in goals for Marianne Narciso and Jennizel Cabalan in the first eight minutes.
Stallion-Hiraya aimed for more goals and were able to get another one via Camille Rodriguez in the 61st minute.
“We couldn’t achieve all that we wanted. We wanted to get as many goals as we could, but we were pretty close and we’re satisfied with our performance,” added Dinglasan.
UST regaining form after crushing Nomads
Back-to-back wins are steering the University of Santo Tomas back to their old form thanks to a comfortable 8-0 dispatch of Nomads FC.
UST came out firing as two players produced quick goals in the first three minutes. Shelah Mae Cadag scored moments after kickoff while Mary Joy Indac doubled it up two minutes later. Both Indac and Cadag would eventually get their respective braces in the 31st and 36th minutes.
Nathalie Absalon later joined the goal spree with a hat-trick in the 15th, 32nd and 44th minutes, while Lalaine Durano added one more for UST in the 50th minute.
The tidy result delighted Aging Rubio who revealed the team went through adjustments to deliver a satisfying performance.
“The girls were able to perform way better than the previous games. I just hope they will continue to strive harder individually and as a team,” the UST tactician said.
Onrubia and Tolentin hat-tricks lead FEU blowout of Maroons
Far Eastern University continued their impressive build-up after hammering Maroons FC for the league’s most lopsided result this season at 11-0.
Joyce Onrubia and Dionesa Tolentin lit it up for FEU as both registered hat-tricks. Onrubia scored in the 6th, 42nd and 76th minutes while Tolentin accomplished hers in the 20th, 33rd and 39th minutes.
Carmela Altiche was also on fire as the substitute completed a brace in the 64th and 90th minutes.
Hannah Faith Pachejo’s 23rd-minute strike, Katrina Magbitang’s 74th-minute effort and a hapless Maroon own goal bloated the scoreline even more.
“I can see from the last two games na nag-improve yung understanding nila on the positions they’re playing. Mas composed and mas nagagawa nila yung play. The more nakaka-score sila mas lalong tumataas ang confidence,” said Let Dimzon.
The FEU mentor was happy to share that her players have been motivated by the extra training they have been doing which helped correct weaknesses.
“Everyone is always eager to put their names in the line-up. Pero importante pa rin yung consistency kaya focus and commitment is key,” she added.
League Standings:
DLSU – 28 pts (+32 GD)
UST- 22 pts (+28 GD)
FEU – 19 pts (+29 GD)
Stallion-Hiraya – 19 pts (+7 GD)
Tuloy FC – 13 pts (-8 GD)
GAU FC – 12 pts (-16 GD)
UP – 11 pts (-12 GD)
Maroons FC – 8 pts (-23 GD)
Nomads FC – 7 pts (-18 GD)
Tigers FC – 4 pts (-19 GD)
On Deck
The PFF Women’s League continues next weekend with four fixtures beginning Saturday, October 26, at the UP Diliman Football Field where Stallion-Hiraya FC will clash with Nomads FC at 8:00 A.M. followed by Maroons FC taking on the University of the Philippines at 10:30 A.M.
On Sunday, October 27, the games return to the PFF National Football Center and will have Tuloy FC and Far Eastern University at 8:00 A.M. followed by De La Salle University and Green Archers United FC at 10:30 A.M.
