Bleassed has been De La Salle University for having forwards like Kyla Inquig, Irish Navaja, and Shai Del Campo — all of whom have played their parts in winning UAAP titles for the Taft school.
Now in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Football Tournament, there is a new star forward who is emerging for the Lady Booters. Angelica Teves has now scored five goals this campaign for La Salle, which is now in second place in the standings after losing its first two matches.
The Negros Oriental High School product opened her account this season by scoring two penalties against Ateneo de Manila University last March 18, and she added to her tally by sealing a hattrick against University of Santo Tomas last Saturday.
“Happy, sobrang happy. Hindi ko naman akalain na makaka hattrick ako. Ang mindset ko lang ay manalo kami ngayon,” said Teves.
“Una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos. Feeling happy ako kasi yung talent ko, naibahagi ko sa La Salle team.”
While the 19-year-old may be competing in the UAAP for the first time in her career, she is technically a second-year player. She was part of the Lady Booters that did not compete in a single match in Season 82 because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During her first two matches for La Salle this season, the fourth-year student-athlete was noticeably wasteful in front of goal. While she may have taken a good while to find her groove, momentum is on her side as the Lady Archers confront the business end of the season.
“I didn’t expect anything less. If you noticed, I let her take the two penalties against Ateneo. She’s more adept at scoring. She’s more relaxed,” said coach Hans-Peter Smit. “Just like a while ago, Maye (Mendaño) was asking again to take the free kick. I said no. Teves should take it. Like I said, a little more urgency.
“I asked her for more intensity and more urgency in this game because we’re not done. We still have Ateneo, UP, and FEU.”
Five matches into the tournament, things are finally looking up for La Salle. After a dismal start, the Lady Booters seem to be clicking at the right time.
Teves will now be a marked player in her team’s next games. As the in-form player of the Green and White, there will be a huge burden on her shoulders to score goals. Nonetheless, she is taking it in her stride.
“Yung mindset namin is to win. Sunod ay kung maka-score ako, hindi lang yun para sa akin pero para sa buong team. Hindi naman ako maka-score kung hindi dahil sa kanila.”
