CAVITE — With a few weeks left in the PFF Women’s League, De La Salle University sits comfortably at the top of the standings, having broken into the 40-point mark and also extending their unbeaten streak to 15 matches at the Training Center.
Tuloy survive momentum shift to hang on for crucial victory
Hungry for the full points to improve their chances on finishing in the top half of the league table, Tuloy FC weathered a Stallion-Hiraya FC rally to win 2-1.
Stallion-Hiraya were up to their old defensive tricks for most of the opening half disrupting their opponents’ dictation of the match but a momentary lapse during Tuloy’s setpiece in the 37th minute led to Jenny Perez going unchecked to head in the breakthrough goal.
Tuloy only got bolder in the second half, wearing down their shorthanded Makati-based counterparts with their offensive forays. Jonalyn Lucban in particular was wreaking havoc in the midfield before assisting Isabella Bandoja for the consolidating goal in the 68th minute.
It was then that the veterans of Stallion-Hiraya decided to not take this match lying down when Aiza Mondero pulled the lead back in the 85th minute, but the comeback was short-lived as Tuloy ultimately took the three points to close in on the University of the Philippines at fifth.
“Para sa akin mahalaga yung result kasi the worst talaga yung sa nakaraan na taon,” said coach Jayson Turco alluding to his team’s decline from the previous season.
“Nung December instead na mag-holiday kami, sinikap namin mag-training para ngayong darating na taon ma-improve yung sarili namin para lang makakuha ng magandang result. Medyo may struggle yung nakaraan na taon pero ngayon sinusubukan namin na ibalik yung nasimulan para umangat ulit.”
Trebol, Castañeda, Teves boast braces in La Salle rout of Nomads
Five players hit their marks for De La Salle University with three scoring twice after handing Nomads FC an 11-0 beating.
An undermanned Nomads put up a valiant defense in the first 24 minutes before succumbing to Arantxa Trebol’s opening goal moments later. Anicka Castañeda doubled it up for the Lady Booters 10 minutes later before Trebol scored again in injury time of the first half.
Sara Castañeda made it 3-0 two minutes into the second half before Alisha Del Campo added another three minutes later. The younger Castañeda completed a brace in the 65th minute. Afterward, substitute Angelica Teves took over scoring duties as she netted goals in the 81st and 88th minutes for another comfortable La Salle win.
“Our approach to this game is like any other game, we really prepared dahil yung UAAP right now is just a few weeks away,” shared Alvin Ocampo who also revealed that their remaining opponents will be UAAP teams.
“Parang lumalabas na preview na for UAAP, so yes major preparation,” added the coach of the defending UAAP champions.
“Yung ini-instill ni Coach Hans [Peter Smit], yung mentality ng girls. We cannot let go of this tournament, of any game, because ang gusto niya hanggang the end of the season is walang loss ang girls eh. Yun ang objective for this league.”
League Standings:
La Salle – 41 pts (+48 GD)
FEU – 32 pts (+54 GD)
UST- 28 pts (+32 GD)
Stallion-Hiraya – 24 pts (+10 GD)
UP – 21 pts (-2 GD)
Tuloy FC – 19 pts (-15 GD)
GAU FC – 15 pts (-26 GD)
Nomads FC – 9 pts (-38 GD)
Maroons FC – 9 pts (-39 GD)
Tigers FC – 7 pts (-24 GD)
On Deck
The PFF Women’s League will return next Wednesday, January 22 for the rescheduled matches between Tigers FC and Maroons FC at 8:00 A.M. followed by the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas at 10:30 A.M.
On Saturday, January 25, Nomads FC face Tuloy FC at 8:00 A.M. before the Espanya Derby of Tigers FC and University of Santo Tomas at 10:30 A.M.
On Sunday, January 26, University of the Philippines will take on Green Archers United FC at 8:00 A.M. then Far Eastern University will look to stun La Salle at 10:30 A.M.
