Far Eastern University staved off University of Santo Tomas 2-1 to get its sixth straight win in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The defending champion first got the lead just 12 minutes into the game after UST midfielder Nikki Marcos put the ball at the back of her own net.
FEU skipper and national team member Dionesa Tolentin then sealed full points for the Lady Tamaraws by scoring past Lady Booters goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia at her near post in the 28th minute.
“I think UST played well today. Ayaw nila yung ibibigay lang nila yung game sa amin,” said coach Let Dimzon.
“Yung maganda lang dun ay na-test namin yung mga bagong players yung mga rookies namin, which is good. I think nakikita namin na malalim yung bench namin,” she continued.
The Lady Tamaraws rose once again to the top of the standings with 18 points and a plus-16 goal difference.
In a preview of the May 10 final, FEU will face De La Salle University, which booked its place earlier today with a 3-1 win over archrival Ateneo de Manila University.
The finals preview takes place on Saturday at 6:30 PM on the same pitch.
The two programs will fight for all the marbles for the third straight season. The Lady Booters prevailed 2-0 back in Season 81, while the Lady Tamaraws won 2-1 last Season 85.
FEU previously defeated La Salle 3-2 last March 16 in the first round despite being down to just 10 players. Despite being a no-bearing game for both schools, Dimzon wants her players to still go for the win.
“Even if hindi pa yan yung pinaka-final match namin, we have to prepare against them,” said Dimzon.
“Nakita namin yung quality of play nila kanina, and then we have to adjust also sa kung ano yung naging result ng game namin against them from last month.”
On the other hand, UST will finish its campaign against University of the Philippines this Saturday at 4:00 PM at the same venue.
Gleydile Añonuevo gave the Lady Booters hope to earn a draw with her 64th-minute penalty, which was awarded moments earlier due to handball.
However, UST failed to turn things around and remained at the bottom with three points and a minus-9 goal difference.
FEU XI: Elauria (GK), Tolentin (C), Fontamillas, Soriano, Arevalo, Doctora, Albiño, Rebosura, Cristobal, Tulabing, Trinidad.
UST XI: Garcia (GK), Gerona, Sy, Bennett (C), Ramos, Añonuevo, Marcos, Mosico, Nemenzo, Quiman, Fernandez.
