Far Eastern University had something to prove after its stunning 0-1 defeat to eventual championship challenger De La Salle University on October 28.
And when the stakes were highest, the Lady Tamaraws delivered a resounding response.
FEU bounced back in emphatic fashion, routing Ateneo de Manila University, 5-1, in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The result secured its sixth consecutive finals appearance and kept its ‘five-peat’ hopes alive.
Tiffany Trinidad led the charge, striking three times in the 58th, 68th, and 88th minutes to complete her hat trick and complement Julie Arevalo’s earlier goals in the dominant semifinal victory.
Despite her standout performance, however, the fourth-year midfielder from Julio Ledesma National High School had something else on her mind: making up for the loss to La Salle and helping her teammates get back on track.
“First of all, proud ako na nagawa ko ‘yon sa sarili ko ‘tsaka proud din ako na nagdala ako ng name ng FEU, kaya ginawa ko ‘yong Tamaraw sign,” she said. “No’ng last game, sobrang lungkot namin kasi nag-sacrifice din ‘yong mga seniors namin dati… Tapos gusto namin siyang bawiin kasi kami din no’ng naglaro no’ng La Salle na natalo kami.
“Kaya gusto namin siyang bawiin para do’n sa team… Need din namin i-champion talaga para po sa team and para din kay coach and sa FEU din na school namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Trinidad has come a long way from her humble beginnings.
Before becoming a three-time UAAP gold medalist, she initially ventured into sports through lawn tennis before her father introduced her to football.
Her determination to play the sport even led her to compete in an under-12 boys’ tournament, concealing her identity as a girl just to get the opportunity to play competitively.
Having weathered numerous challenges in her rising career, the 22-year-old understands that setbacks are inevitable and can serve as valuable learning experiences.
For FEU, its defeat to La Salle in the second round may have provided precisely the lessons it needed heading into the championship series.
“No’ng sa training namin, ina-assist kami ni coach [Let Dimzon] kung ano ‘yong mistake namin no’ng last game kasi madami din kaming mistake,” said Trinidad.
“Kaya binabawi namin siya sa training, ta’s ina-apply namin dito kasi gusto din namin makabawi para sa Finals, para makuha din namin ‘yong five-peat para sa FEU.”
With another championship showdown against La Salle looming, the Lady Tamaraws are leaving nothing to chance despite having beaten the Green Archers in their last four finals encounters.
Losing their 38-game unbeaten streak in the elimination round was a significant setback, but surrendering their championship crown is something the defending champions are determined to prevent.
The week-long break gives FEU an opportunity to recover from injuries, regain its focus, and prepare for the adjustments La Salle could make in the finals as the Lady Tamaraws pursue another title.
“Mag-focus pa rin kami sa training namin kasi sa training talaga kami nagkukuha ng confidence namin,” said Trinidad.
“Tapos dapat aware kami palagi. Ang sabi nga ni coach, lagyan namin ng pride tsaka pag-isipan din kung paano ilaro, kasi ‘yong football problem solving siya. Kaya need din namin ng teamwork.”
