Regine Rebosura moved one step closer to fulfilling her dream of graduating as a champion at the end of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament.
The Season 85 Rookie of the Year and Best Midfielder struck in the 59th minute to help defending champion Far Eastern University defeat University of Santo Tomas last Saturday.
The victory sent the Lady Tamaraws to their fifth consecutive finals appearance, as they chase a fourth straight UAAP crown.
“Siguro kung mangyari na ma-claim namin yung 14th championship, sa’kin po… Sobrang saya ko kase last season ko na rin, and sa lahat nang ibang teammates ko na last season na rin,” said Rebosura.
“Kasi ayun yung goal namin na graduating, na maganda po yung performance namin lahat and then makuha namin ung championship para sa magandang exit para sa’min.”
The Lady Tamaraws — who remain unbeaten this season — officially booked their ticket to the November 15 finals with three games to spare.
However, their win over the Lady Booters didn’t come easily. Seven players, along with head coach Let Dimzon, missed the match due to the flu.
Despite a sluggish start that left the match goalless at halftime, FEU found its rhythm after the break.
Judie Arevalo, now in her third playing year, opened the scoring before Rebosura sealed the result moments later.
FEU once again proved to be a powerhouse — so dominant that even the absence of key starters and their decorated coach couldn’t derail their path to the finals.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Actually po, nung first half, nahirapan talaga kami kase nangangapa lahat kase kulang kami sa players,” shared Rebosura. “Halos lahat ng first 11 wala din po kaya sinecure po namin at sinigurado po namin na kailangan namin umi-score para maka-secure kami sa final.
“Sinunod lang po namin yung sistema na lagi pong binibigay sa’min ni Coach Let, na kahit second stringer ka, kailangan mo pa rin sumunod sa system. Then ayun po, bago kami mag-start ng game, lahat ng second string kailangan magpakita. Hindi lang po yung nasa first 11 kase duon po makikita ng mga teammates at mga coaches na kaya nila makasabay sa first 11.”
With three more matches left in the eliminations, there’s a lingering concern that the Lady Tamaraws might peak too early before the championship match.
For any team — especially one as dominant as FEU — losing in the finals after a near-perfect run would be heartbreaking. All the more for seniors like Rebosura, who have won gold medals throughout their collegiate careers.
For now, Rebosura remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and consistent rather than getting ahead of themselves.
“Di po ako kampante sa pagkamit po ng championship,” she admitted.
“Yun nga po lagi sinasabi sa’min ni Coach Let na bilog po yung bola kaya kahit anong mangyari di pa rin dapat maging kampante. Kahit pasok na po kami sa finals, kailangan pa din po namin i-secure at ipanalo yung tatlong game pa na natitira.”
