CITY OF IMUS — Far Eastern University opened its title defense in commanding fashion, blanking the University of the Philippines, 4-0, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament, Wednesday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.
The Lady Tamaraws quickly took pole position with three points and a +4 goal difference, edging ahead of De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas, which also have three points but only a +1 goal difference.
La Salle and UST will face off later in the day’s second match.
Senior striker Lenlen Cristobal broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, setting the tone for FEU.
In the second half, seniors Judie Arevalo and Regine Rebosura each added a goal in the 58th and 62nd minutes, respectively. Althea Rebosura then sealed the rout with a header in stoppage time.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“In our first half, we needed to adjust our touches with all our kids, because one of the factors was the weather, and the field was different,” said assistant coach Fitch Arboleda, who called the shots in the absence of long-time head coach Let Dimzon, currently in Borneo for another coaching assignment.
“Thankfully, in the second half, they were able to adjust. All of them needed to step up since they were graduating seniors, players come and go, and they need to work, especially that the players that stepped up today are different speed-wise and experience-wise.”
FEU’s opening strike came from a combination of sustained pressure and a defensive lapse.
Cristobal managed to create space and fired a shot over UP keeper Mariel Sancho. Though Sancho got her hands on the ball, she failed to secure it as it slipped away and trickled into the net.
From there, the defending champions only grew stronger.
The Lady Tamaraws controlled possession in the second half, converting their dominance into dangerous opportunities.
Arevalo and Regine Rebosura’s strikes highlighted FEU’s sharp attacking runs, while Althea’s perfectly timed header off a set piece served as the finishing touch to a dominant display.
FEU will aim for back-to-back wins when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday at 6:30 PM, still at the Imus venue.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP, meanwhile, dropped to its second straight loss with a -4 goal difference.
The Fighting Maroons will look to bounce back against De La Salle University, also on Saturday at 4:00 PM.
