By: Brenn Allen Flores
Regine Rebosura and Dionesa Tolentin’s goals led Far Eastern University to a 2-0 victory over University of Santo Tomas, keeping them at the top of the table in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
With the win, FEU regained the top spot in the standings with 16 points and a +13 goal difference.
De La Salle University, their final opponent, follows in second with 14 points and a +8 goal difference.
Lady Tamaraws head coach Let Dimzon emphasized that their upcoming elimination round match against La Salle would be treated as a straightforward game, offering a chance for FEU’s bench players to get valuable minutes.
“Same pa rin. Although we know already kung ano ‘yong plays ng La Salle, but again, from the previous game against them, we just need to improve talaga how we’re going to handle ‘yong mga situations sa attacking third,” said Dimzon.
“Since non-bearing game naman ‘yong game against La Salle, I think wala kaming kailangan i-worry. Whatever happens in that game, what’s more important for me is giving quality time to players who haven’t had much playing time,” she added.
Rebosura gave FEU the lead in the fourth minute, blasting a shot from a cross past UST goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia.
In the 32nd minute, FEU had an opportunity to double their lead, but Kyza Colina missed an open net.
On the other side, UST nearly equalized in the 54th minute when Bianca Sy’s spot kick was mishandled by FEU goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria, but the ball was eventually cleared.
Tolentin sealed the win for FEU in the 64th minute, scoring off a perfectly placed cross from Carmela Altiche to extend the Lady Tamaraws’ lead.
Though Garcia stood firm in the final minutes, denying Tolentin another goal, UST’s offense failed to generate any further chances, sealing their fate.
Despite the loss, UST remains in third place with five points and a -3 goal difference.
UST will close out Season 87 with a match against the University of the Philippines at the same field on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 4:00 PM.