After 12 weeks of 45 matches, the first round concluded with University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University both walking away with three big points.
UST return to winning ways after overcoming Tuloy
Coming off two deflating losses, University of Santo Tomas resolved to put an end to its losing streak with a 6-3 dismantling of Tuloy FC.
Kristine Joy Abo-abo raced to get UST on the board with a 13th-minute strike, which Shelah Mae Cadag then followed up in the 26th minute. Unfazed by the 0-2 hole, Tuloy struck back with Jamielyn Nañez’s free-kick wonder in first-half stoppage.
The Lady Booters of España responded with a flurry of goals in the 71st minute by Cecile Deita and a 74th-minute brace by Cadag. Isabella Bandoja then countered with Tuloy’s second goal three minutes later.
In the 88th minute, Toni Panes pocketed a long shot of her own. Jenny Perez answered with a 90th-minute strike, but Mary Joy Indac rendered it void with an injury-time goal.
The goals conceded did not sit well with Aging Rubio, who still had a critical assessment of her charges despite the win.
“Somehow they managed to win the game though nakita ko din na ang tamad ng mga players. Dun ako hindi masaya,” the UST coach said.
“I just need to make them understand na hindi enough na skillful ‘yung player para manalo. It’s always hard to win games. Naniniwala ako na ang nananalo is kung sino ‘yung gustong-gusto na magbigay ng hundred percent. Kailangan ng sipag kung gusto talaga manalo. ‘Yun ang pinaka-importante sa akin — ‘yung attitude nila during the game,” Rubio explained.
UST places itself in second with 19 points and a 6-1-2 record midway through the season. Meanwhile, Tuloy FC barely remain in the top half in fifth with 12 points and a 4-0-5 slate.
Bandoja’s goal also increased her total to 12, making her the 2019 season’s undisputed scoring leader.
FEU pummel Tigers to climb back to third
Instead of succumbing to rustiness, a refreshed Far Eastern University returned from a lengthy break with a 6-0 thrashing of Tigers FC.
Two players registered braces — namely Hannah Faith Pachejo in the 22nd and 51st minutes; and Joyce Onrubia in the 25th and 28th minutes.
Two other players chipped in single goals — Vanessa Velasco in the 24th minute, then Kyla Rivera in the 65th minute — to banish Tigers FC to its 7th loss of the season and keep them bottom of the table.
Naturally, a decisive win put a smile into anybody’s face particularly Let Dimzon.
“Tina-target talaga namin is to gain points as much as possible every game, pero what’s better for me is nakuha ng team ma-perform ‘yung quality ng trainings na ginagawa namin for the past two weeks and it is very satisfying to me,” she said.
The FEU tactician also added that she hopes her squad can keep this kind of momentum going into the second half of the season.
“Kailangan lang talaga to keep on reminding them na not only on the per-game basis. Dapat consistently na-a-apply nila kahit alam nila yung system,” Dimzon added.
FEU sits in third, taking the spot back from Stallion-Hiraya, on 16 points and a 4-4-1 record. Meanwhile, Tigers FC is in last place with 4 points and a 1-1-7 slate.
League Standings:
DLSU – 25 pts (+27 GD)
UST- 19 pts (+20 GD)
FEU – 16 pts (+18 GD)
Stallion-Hiraya – 16 pts (+4 GD)
Tuloy FC – 12 pts (-8 GD)
GAU FC – 12 pts (-13 GD)
UP – 10 pts (-12 GD)
Maroons FC – 8 pts (-12 GD)
Nomads FC – 7 pts (-10 GD)
Tigers FC – 4 pts (-14 GD)
On Deck
The PFF Women’s League is scheduled to begin the second round next weekend at the PFF National Football Center in Carmona, Cavite.
On Saturday, October 19, Tuloy FC are set to face the University of the Philippines at 8:00 A.M. and will be followed by De La Salle University taking on Tigers FC at 10:30 A.M.
On Sunday, October 20, there will be three fixtures beginning with Stallion-Hiraya FC and Green Archers United FC at 8:00 A.M., followed by Nomads FC and University of Santo Tomas at 10:30 A.M. and finally Maroons FC and Far Eastern University at 2:30 P.M.
