Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the Philippines (UP)-Y bounced back from opening day losses to register their first wins against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and Sikat FC, respectively, while UP-X and Chelsea Soccer School (CSS) share the spoils at the 2015 PFF Women’s Invitational Cup, Sunday, August 16 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium
FEU charges through Ateneo for first victory
UAAP Champions, FEU turned back a sorry defeat as the pummelled opening day victors ADMU, 4-0, in the curtain-raiser of Day 2 of the tourney.
The green-shirts flexed their muscle early as they controlled the possession and aggression towards the goal, but the Ateneo defense was able to hold. In the following minutes, however, the Morayta-based squad kept on breaching the backline with several attempts and was eventually rewarded with goals.
At the 25th minute, Barbie Sobredo registered her first goal of the match. The crafty winger picked herself up from a collision with Kimberlee Jimenez and slotted one past Mariane Caparros for the go-ahead goal. Ateneo did well to deny FEU more goals as the halftime came, 1-0, in favor of the visitors.
FEU played more relentlessly in the second half and produced more goals. Sobredo scored two more in the half against the trying Ateneo backline. At the 53rd minute, the winger fired from a corner kick, which Caparros misjudged completely and went into the onion bag for her second. Sobredo scored another at the 67th minute as she chipped one over Caparros to push the lead to 3-0.
The Lady Eagles Camille Rodriguez and Martie Bautista tried to push for goals, however, they were heavily defended and could not convert.
At the 73rd minute, Roselle Lacera put the exclamation point for FEU’s comprehensive win over their UAAP rivals, 4-0, to take their first win of the tournament.
UP-X and CSS finish with draw
Coming from a highly-contested stalemate against Lady Tamaraws FC, UP-X had to make do with another tied game, as they finished scoreless along with Chelsea SS FC at the end of 90 minutes.
It was the blue-shirts who had their first chance at the goal, but the shot from Marielle Sutacio at the eighth minute was cleared by Marie Navea-Huff. Another attempt at the 15th minute by Chelsea from Sheen Ramores was deflected and cleared. On the other hand, UP-X kept on trying to execute form the left flank; nonetheless, the opposing defense was able to stifle their run towards the goal for most of the time.
The Lady Maroons had their first chance on the goal at the 24th minute, but Sabrina Nierras’ shot was a little off to the right. Aira Agustin charged all the way from the back on a succeeding play, only her shot was blocked by the defense. The halftime whistle was sounded with neither team getting something on the board.
The second half of the match was the same, as both teams had trouble breaking though the middle third. UP-X controlled everything from possession to attack, but could not get the ball inside the box. On the other side of the pitch, Chelsea rode on their few opportunities to score with Mara Sabanal and Karen Ladero knocking on the door of the UP-X defense. Nevertheless, the Maroon backline was able to hold as the final whistle was sounded as the match started.
Delos Reyes brace powers UP-Y to initial win
In the final match of the day, UP-Y edged Cup debutants, Sikat FC, 2-0, off goals from veteran Midfielder, Cristina Delos Reyes, in the both halves.
Sikat FC started on the right foot in the first half, as they tested the Maroon defense with several incursions towards the goal. Nevertheless, the attempts from Natasha Alquiros and Aiza Mondero could not find the back of the net. The Lady Maroons, on the other hand, fired towards the opposing Keeper, Jezza Baron, only the shots from Delos Reyes and Gae Saluria were too strong.
At the 26th minute, Delos Reyes finally plucked the breakthrough goal. Seeing Baron off her line, the former Philippine International lobbed the ball into the goal and past the custodian to take the lead for UP-Y. The white-shirts had more chances to add to the lead, only their efforts were not enough.
Despite the lead, the Lady Maroons continued to execute on their offense. They were able to send balls into their attacking third; however, the defense pulled through. Sikat turned this defensive intensity into counterattacks. Josephine Luto had several chances on the right wing, but was denied by Molly Manalansan and Martha Dagdag. Alquiros tried an equalizer on the other side, but UP-Y goalie AJ Javier calmly collected the ball.
The Lady Maroons mounted a late run for the insurance goal in the dying minutes. Delos Reyes, Alyssa Ube, and Bling Perez broke away from the defense; and the UAAP Season 77 Best Midfielder zoomed past Baron and fired the winning goal from the top of the box. The final whistle sounded with UP-Y taking the full points.
