THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) bows down to the reigning champions, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, in their final game of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament, 1-4. The game was held earlier today, November 11, at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Football Field, Quezon City.
This defeat puts the Blue Eagles at a 3-2-3 win-loss-draw record in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Team Captain KC Zalamea scored the only goal of the game for Blue Eagles. Entering the pitch, the Blue Eagles struggled to contain the flanks as FEU’s Jelan Pabuaya attacked the left wing. Stamping dominance early on, Pabuaya slid past the Ateneo backline to score for the Lady Tamaraws in the second minute, 0-1.
Looking to equalize, the booters from Katipunan upped their aggression on the pitch to create counterattacking chances downfield. Zalamea successfully broke through the FEU defense, scoring the first goal for the Blue and White from a set-piece opportunity at the eight-minute mark, 1-1.
Following the hot start, the Blue Eagles’ backline continued their monumental task of containing the Lady Tamaraws’ wingers. Blue Eagles Soleil Schroth and Kristine Napoles attempted to negate FEU’s attacking chances; however, their efforts fell short as Saraghen Tulabing found Judie Arevalo inside the box for a header, 1-2. In the dying minutes of the first half, Ateneo’s back four conceded another goal as Pabuaya set up Althea Rebosura to extend their lead, 1-3.
Moving into the second half, the Blue Eagles regrouped to take on a more offense-centric approach. Schroth quickly gained possession of the ball in the 50th minute, passing it to Bicierro for a chance at a goal, but the shot was denied by FEU’s goalkeeper, Jessa Lehayan. In response, the Morayta-based squad increased their offense as well, earning Rebosura a through ball, which was intercepted by Casals shortly after.
The two teams saw another exchange of ball possession as the Katipunan-based team attempted to regain momentum after two consecutive goal attempts from FEU. Despite this, the Lady Tamaraws continued to dictate the tempo of the game, preventing the Blue Eagles from finding their footing. Angel Egay attempted to gain another point for FEU, but was blocked by Casals twice after denying Egay’s attempt at a rebound as well.
In response, Celina Salazar went on the run in hopes of earning another goal for the Blue and White, but the rookie was immediately denied by Lehayan. Regardless of the missed goal chances, the AWFT continued to press on FEU’s offense, hoping to break formation. After another long back-and-forth in the midfield, Angely Alferez found an opportunity in the 64th minute and took a shot on goal, but was denied by Lehayan once again.
However, in the 74th minute, the Lady Tamaraws gained their fourth point of the game after a scuffle in front of the goal, following a corner kick that bounced off Casals, allowing Leofrance Gayapa to kick it in, 1-4.
Sophia Gajitos entered the match, substituting veteran keeper Casals, to continue manning the Blue Eagle’s goalpost until the final minutes, 1-4.
Despite the defeat, the AWFT secured the bronze medal finish this UAAP Season 88, finishing in front of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in points. This result marks their first podium finish since Season 79.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (1): Casals (GK), Zalamea (C), Schroth, Tolentino, Alferez, Napoles, Bicciero, Salazar, Francisco, Eval, Halili
FEU (4): Lehayan (GK), Tulabing (C), Arevalo, Egay, Duran, Soriano, Rebosura, Pabuaya, Doctora, Albino, Trinidad
Current Standings (W/L)
- FEU Lady Tamaraws — (21) (+17)
- DLSU Lady Booters — (12) (+3)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles — (11) (-2)
- UST Lady Booters — (6) (-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons — (1) (-15)
