University of the Philippines scored a total of 15 goals in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament. However, 12 of those came from just four Maroons, with Aurea Reaso netting four and Anya Fuentes and Kam Mangrobang contributing three each.
With Reaso and Mangrobang having completed their playing years, the Fighting Maroons were faced with the challenge of filling their shoes.
Fortunately, Fuentes and UP have been bolstered by rookies like Isalyn Tundag and Chantal van Ommeren, who are ready to strengthen their offensive efforts.
In their Season 87 opener against Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday, UP created several chances but struggled to convert them into goals.
Fuentes, Tundag, and team captain Denielle Napiza worked hard to break down Ateneo’s defense, but opportunities went begging for the home side.
Meanwhile, van Ommeren watched from the bench, preparing herself for her moment on the pitch. Observing Ateneo’s defense, she knew she had to be ready to attack when her chance came.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“All I thought of was, ‘When I get on that pitch, I will do my job.’ And the scoring opportunities that my other teammates did not convert into a goal, I put that into my head that I have to take those chances,” said the forward from Cagayan de Oro City.
However, when van Ommeren entered the game in the second half, the Blue Eagles quickly adjusted, limiting her runs and disrupting the through balls intended for her.
Despite this, van Ommeren seized her opportunity during a counter-attack in stoppage time. Recalling what she had visualized earlier, she took her shot.
“I just thought that I have a few more minutes. I have to take this chance. So, I took the shot and, thankfully, it went in,” the Higala FC product shared.
More than just scoring the goal, van Ommeren was thrilled to get her first-ever UAAP match under her belt. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “It’s surreal for me. Like, it was a big opportunity for me to be here. And I’m very happy that I made that decision to come home.
“I feel like I may have not played well in the Netherlands, but maybe I was meant to be here. So, I’m very happy to be here in UP.”
With such a dramatic finish to her UAAP debut, the 2019 PIA Cup top scorer is now looking ahead to their next challenge: facing one of the strongest programs in the league.
“I’m really looking forward to playing against La Salle. We haven’t played them in the preseason league, and I’m really looking forward to how I’ll play during that game,” van Ommeren concluded.
“I will bring this result forward since we got the win, and I will take this as motivation to keep on pushing and stepping forward and improving.”
