Marinelle Cristobal struck just in time to lift defending champion Far Eastern University to a 1-0 victory over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Cristobal, a third-year forward from FEU-Diliman, found the back of the net in the 75th minute, breaking UST’s impressive defense against the defending champions’ relentless attacks.
While relieved to see the Lady Tamaraws secure their second win of the season, coach Let Dimzon urged her players to be more clinical in front of goal.
“Ang naging problem dun sa taas ay yung concentration nila every time we have chances to score,” said Dimzon. “Yes, na-relieve, pero same pa rin. Siyempre, daming nasayang. Kung ma-capitalize namin yun, ang laki ng chance tumaas pa yung ranking namin sa points and goal difference.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After a goalless first half, UST goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia played like a woman possessed. She denied attempts from Kyza Stephan Colina, Carmela Altiche, and Sarahgen Tulabing to keep the game scoreless.
The Lady Booters seemed to have luck on their side when a shot from the Lady Tamaraws hit the post and went straight to Garcia.
However, Cristobal finally broke the deadlock and clinched the win for FEU.
Judie Rose Arevalo, Tiffany Trinidad, and Dionesa Tolentin all had chances to extend FEU’s lead but failed to find the back of the net.
“We had good chances. We are very strong in attack, pero yung character nila in front of the goal and inside the box yung nagiging problem namin,” said Dimzon.
“I think kung ma-re-realize ng players ang mga chances na yun, na sana na-ca-capitalize nila, mag-ma-mature ang players once naging confident sila in scoring.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With this victory, the Lady Tamaraws improved their standing to 6 points, placing them second with a plus-4 goal difference.
FEU will face the University of the Philippines this Saturday at 4:00 PM.
Meanwhile, UST and Ateneo de Manila University – which lost 1-0 earlier to De La Salle University – remain at the bottom with zero points.
The Lady Booters sit above the Blue Eagles due to a goal difference of minus-3 compared to Ateneo’s minus-5.
UST and Ateneo will clash this Saturday as well at 6:30 PM.
