By: Brenn Allen Flores
Inday Tolentin and the rest of Far Eastern University warmed up for this Saturday’s final with a dominant 7-1 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in their last elimination game of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The defending champions finished the eliminations in first place, unbeaten with 22 points from seven wins and one draw.
Tolentin reclaimed the league’s top scorer spot, netting seven goals after a quick brace. She converted a penalty in the 44th minute before scoring a perfectly-hit shot in front of goal just before halftime.
Despite the win, FEU head coach Let Dimzon emphasized that the Lady Tamaraws are still working on improving their ability to control the ball in the final third ahead of their matchup with the De La Salle Lady Booters.
“I think ‘yong wino-work namin in front of the attacking third, I think this game nag-work siya. ‘Yon ‘yong hinanap talaga namin,” Dimzon said.
“Malakas yong attacking namin, kaya naming i-hold yung opponents inside their pitch. Pero yong nagiging problem lang talaga namin is yong mga final touches when it comes inside the box and outside the box,” she added.
“Ayon lang talaga yong kailangan namin tutukan as of now.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU outdid their 3-0 first-round win against Ateneo with a flurry of goals spread across the team.
Angel Egay opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading a slick ball past Ateneo goalkeeper Chelssy Casals. Althea Rebosura doubled the Lady Tamaraws’ lead with a long-range strike in the ninth minute.
Nikk Duran and Carmela Altiche increased the lead to 4-0 with goals in the 33rd and 37th minutes, respectively.
Ateneo’s Angely Alferez managed a consolation goal in the 54th minute off a set piece.
Egay followed Tolentin’s lead, adding a brace of her own to complete the rout.
Dimzon also reiterated the team’s focus this season: to win a third consecutive title.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Kailangan lang talaga maging composed yung players, and then again, they have to stay grounded,” she said.
“Di porket nakuha na namin from the last season, and we were able to win the games last season… Kailangan pa rin we have to be focused and kunin kung ano ‘yong objective namin for this season. Kailangan talaga mag-champion,” Dimzon added.
Ateneo finished its Season 87 campaign in last place, with four points and a -16 goal difference.
