The second round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament kicks off on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, with the challengers hoping to start the race to the November 15 final on a high note.
Chasing defending three-time champion Far Eastern University and aiming to finally end its string of bridesmaid finishes? De La Salle University.
Sitting second in the standings with nine points, the Lady Green Booters will face the University of the Philippines at 4:00 PM to open Round 2.
La Salle has reached the final for seven consecutive seasons and is eager for another shot at the crown.
For coach Alvin Ocampo, however, before his team can think about ending its three-season run of second-place finishes, it must ensure that University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, and UP cannot keep pace in the chase.
“We will have to deny a playoff this second round and fight for a spot in the final,” said Ocampo. “We need to practice humility, acceptance of mistakes, and better game understanding. No more excuses.”
The Lady Green Booters scored a 2-0 win over the Fighting Maroons on September 27 in Round 1.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST and Ateneo remain in contention to gatecrash a potential fifth FEU-La Salle final, both having earned four points at the end of Round 1.
The Lady Booters from Espana and the Blue Eagles figured in a 1-1 draw to close the opening round last October 4.
The two squads face off in the nightcap at 6:30 p.m.
Leading the pack is defending champion Far Eastern University, which tops the standings with 12 points after winning all of its first-round matches.
The Lady Tamaraws are gunning for their fourth consecutive Season 88 championship, but know they must shift gears as the competition reaches its climax. This, even with Judie Arevalo and Regine Rebosura leading the goalscoring chart with four and three goals, respectively.
“When it comes to our lapses in the first round, normally our problem is during our counterattacks,” said FEU coach Let Dimzon. “We need to strengthen our counterattacks together and improve how our players perform their individual responsibilities.
“We need to strengthen our attacking play. While we have a strong attack as we can play at the halfway line, there are times when our plays do not connect.”
The Lady Tamaraws will open their second-round campaign on October 18 at the same Diliman venue.
