As Far Eastern University demonstrated its superiority over De La Salle University once again with a 3-1 victory in a preview of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament final, it was Regine and Althea Rebosura who provided the breakthrough for the defending champions.
Regine is the elder sister who scored twice in last year’s championship game against the Lady Booters — securing the Lady Tamaraws their first title in nine years.
Today, she drew a penalty in the 31st minute, allowing teammate Erma Balacua to score FEU’s equalizer.
With the game delicately tied at one-all, it was Althea’s turn to take the spotlight by scoring the Lady Tamaraws’ go-ahead goal in the 42nd minute.
The win has the sisters in high spirits since it was the first time the duo stole the show for coach Let Dimzon’s squad.
“Actually, kakabalik ko lang ulit sabi ko babawi ako,” said Regine. “Kung ipasok man ako, ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko, one hundred percent para sa FEU community, sa teammates at coaches. Kasi araw-araw nagtra-training kami, araw-araw binibigay namin ‘yung best namin sa training para makuha naming at maprotektahan ‘yung korona.”
Althea added, “Siyempre ‘yung performance namin pinaghandaan namin sa training, nakinig kami sa sistema ni coach. Siyempre, sa hard work ng team namin, sama-sama talaga, may pagkakaisa talaga o ‘yung unity na tinatawag natin.”
Before these heroics, Regine and Althea were on the periphery this season. Despite being the Season 85 final heroine, Regine has spent a lot of time on the bench because Dimzon felt that other squad members are more suitable to her demands.
On the other hand, Althea is still learning the ropes and has slowly been afforded playing time on the pitch.
That meant their partnership wreaking havoc against the Lady Booters was a major milestone for them this season.
“Siyempre first time po namin magsama ulit eh. Nakuha po namin kung paano kami maglaro dati. Kasi may usapan kami nito [Althea],” said Regine.
“Kasi kung kami po magsasama, bigay po namin ‘yung best namin, makinig lang sa coach at sa isa’t isa, walang galit, o focus lang sa laro. ‘Wag mawalan ng concentration.”
“Siyempre even if hindi ito totally ‘yung first eleven, like second stringer lang po talaga ako, or ‘yung mga nakapasok na first eleven, talaga inaaral talaga ‘yung sistema namin,” said Althea.
“Hindi ko akalain na ganoon ‘yung performance ko, basta nakinig lang ako kay Coach Let: ‘Puso, gawin mo kung ano kaya, ipakita mo kung sino ka’.”
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
This recent exploit is the latest chapter in the Rebosura sisters’ rise in the local football scene. They started under coach Roy Moore in Payatas FC, which is under the Fairplay For All Foundation.
Football’s indoor variant, futsal, became their gateway to the sport as they learned how to play with the ball using their feet on a basketball court.
Now, as part of the FEU program that has produced national team players such as Alesa Dolino, Jovelle Sudaria, Zhyrelle Belluga, Mary Hariette Lam, and Dionesa Tolentin in recent history, the duo strives to continue the school’s tradition of producing top players under Dimzon, who has been a former national team player and coach herself.
“Mahabang kwento pano kami nagstart, siguro seven or nine years old kami ng ate ko,” said Althea.
“Inspiration po namin ‘yung mga bata sa Payatas kasi doon po kami lumaki, doon po namin nakita ‘yung enjoyment pano maglaro ng football. Kasi nakikita namin kung maglaro ka ng football may freedom talaga, doon ka mag-e-enjoy po talaga. Kaya sobrang big opportunity makapaglaro kami sa UAAP,” said Regine.
“’Yung hard work sa training session namin simula sa Payatas kay Coach Roy, siyempre nakinig kami nung bata pa lang kami. Parang enjoyment lang, nag-e-enjoy kami doon ‘yung freedom na sinasabi ng ate ko. And may big opportunity like scholarship like sa FEU na binigay sa’min, kaya nakarating kami dito,” said Althea.
Regine, meanwhile admitted that, “Thankful kami kay Coach Let Dimzon, at sa mga coaches, kasi binigyan po kami ng chance na makapasok sa school na ito.
“Kasi alam po namin na ‘di sapat makapasok kami dito na mababa ‘yung pinanggalingan namin, ‘di kaya ng pamilya naming makapasok sa gantong malaking eskwelahan. Kaya sobrang thankful kami sa mga coaches na binigyan kami ng opportunity makapasok dito at mabigyan ng scholarship.”
“Especially kay Coach Roy kasi from the start siya ‘yung tumulong sa amin para makarating dito,” said Althea.
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Before FEU can finally take on La Salle in the big dance, it will wrap up its elimination round assignments against Ateneo de Manila University this Saturday.
Despite having a spotless record with seven straight wins, the Lady Tamaraws know the championship is not in the bag and anything can happen against the Lady Booters on May 10.
For Regine and Althea, the game against the Blue Eagles is a must-win and maybe another chance for them to share the pitch and take the spotlight.
“Same pa rin po ‘yung discipline and concentration, very important po sa amin. Palagi sinasabi ng mga coaches namin, ibigay din ‘yung one hundred percent tuwing papasok sa field, focus, concentrate,” said Regine.
“‘Di pwedeng mawala sa amin kasi kailangan naming maprotektahan ‘yung korona namin sa Morayta. Ayaw po naming masayang ‘yung mga trinabaho namin.”
Althea chimed in, “Siyempre parang settled na finals na po kami pupunta, sinasabi sa amin ni Coach Let, ‘Wag kayong maging kampante, tuloy namin kung ano ‘yung performance namin kasi ito ‘yung binibigyan kami ng opportunity.’ Tulad nga na second stringer ako, talagang bigay ‘yung one hundred percent kahit na anong mangyari.”
