After scoring the equalizer for Far Eastern University in its 1-1 draw against De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament last Wednesday, striker Judie Rose Arevalo has called on her team to raise its intensity.
The defending champions survived a challenging match, and Arevalo believes this serves as a wake-up call in their quest for a three-peat.
Arevalo, who was named Rookie of the Year in Season 86, feels that finishing the first round at the top of the standings is a strong foundation for FEU heading into the second round on November 9.
“Masarap sa feeling kasi nakuha pa rin namin yung top one,” said Arevalo.
“Siguro sa second round, sisiguraduhin namin na tatalunin namin yung ibang team, hindi kami magpapatalo at kaya namin i-defend yung crown. Hindi namin ibibigay sa iba dahil ang korona dapat nasa Morayta lang.”
With FEU trailing 1-0 after Shai Del Campo’s 68th-minute goal, Arevalo found the back of the net with a header ten minutes later, securing a hard-fought point for the Lady Tamaraws.
She felt she was in the right place at the right time, taking advantage of La Salle’s fatigue and seeing her goal as a testament to her team’s perseverance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sa goal ko naman, it was a good goal kasi first time kong magawa yung header sa season na ito,” Arevalo shared. “Sa team naman, makikita mo na good game as a team dahil makikita mo yung sipag at hard work ng bawat isa.
“Siguro, sa first half, ang tagal naming naka-adjust. Siguro sa second half, naka-adjust na kami. Good game lang po sa bawat isa at thankful lang kami na naka-score pa po kami.”
As the Lady Tamaraws prepare for their next four matches, Arevalo sees one area that needs improvement – finishing in front of goal. FEU captain Inday Tolentin had also emphasized this issue before their match against La Salle.
With the tournament now heading toward its climax, the Lady Tamaraws know they need to be more clinical in their attacks to secure the three-peat.
“Yung finishing sa harapan, yun talaga yung problema namin kasi di ko alam kung bakit ganun yung estado namin ngayon,” Arevalo admitted. “Pagdating sa harapan, wala talaga. Yun talaga yung kulang namin.
“Siguro one week or ilang weeks na ata, yan yung ineensayo namin sa harap para maka-finish at mag-adjust.”
With FEU and La Salle standing as the two most successful programs in the division – with 12 and 11 championships respectively – there is a strong chance the two teams will meet in the finals for the fourth straight season.
Now that the Lady Tamaraws and Lady Booters have clashed, Arevalo is determined for FEU to show it can go the distance and prove its mettle.
“Siguro mas taasan pa namin yung pride namin. Maging eager kami manalo bawat laro. Yun talaga yung importante na pagdating namin dito, maipakita namin yung eagerness namin manalo para makuha ulit yung korona,” she said.
