Kyza Colina and Carmela Altiche each scored two goals to lead Far Eastern University to a dominant 5-0 victory over University of the Philippines on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, securing the Lady Tamaraws’ spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Championship Match.
The victory marks FEU’s fourth consecutive appearance in the finals and their 22nd overall in the women’s division.
With their eyes on their 13th title, the defending champions are aiming for a three-peat, which they last accomplished in Seasons 75–77.
“Siyempre, exciting kasi maglalaro ulit kami sa final,” said FEU head coach Let Dimzon. “But again, regarding sa mentality ng mga players, I don’t want them to relax.
“We still have three more games to play plus the final. Kailangan lahat ng lapses namin in the first round until this first half kanina,” the concurrent Kaya-Iloilo head coach added.
“We have to improve on them para sa pagpasok namin ng final, we’ll be ready and na-strengthen lahat ng mga attacking plays namin.”
Colina, a rookie from Cebu, opened the scoring in the 74th minute with a goal from a cross by Dionesa Tolentin. She later sealed her brace in the 87th minute.
Altiche, an FEU-Diliman alumna, added a volley from another Tolentin cross in the 81st minute before scoring a fine finish in the 85th minute.
Judie Arevalo, a product of Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School, also got in the five-goal blitz with a tap-in in the 80th minute.
“It was a long wait with many frustrations, although maganda yung naging adjustment and nakuha nila yung momentum during the (last) 20 minutes of the game,” said Dimzon.
“After that (Colina) goal coming from the cross of Inday (Tolentin), I think dun nag-start.”
Second-year midfielder Althea Rebosura was absent from the Lady Tamaraws’ lineup for this match due to her commitment to the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team at the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship.
FEU, currently at the top of the standings with 13 points and a +11 goal difference, will face University of Santo Tomas this Saturday at 6:30 PM.
UP, still in third place with five points and a -8 goal difference, will return to action against UST on November 30 at 4:00 PM.