De La Salle University and the Far Eastern University scored high-scoring wins to overtake the lead from the University in the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP women’s football tournament Saturday at the UP Football Stadium.

In the first game, the Lady Archers smashed archrival Ateneo de Manila, 4-0, off three first half goals.

Rookie sensation and league scoring leader Angelica Teves scored a brace in the 21st and 23rd minute while national team reservist Alisha del Campo scored her second tournament goal in the first half stoppage time to win the game for La Salle by as early as the first half.

Teves scored the opener with a strike from within the penalty box off an interception and right cross by Del Campo.

The Negros Oriental native followed up with an interception off a short goal kick from Ateneo goalkeeper Adrielle Lee en route to her seventh tournament goal.

Del Campo, starting for the first time in the Season 85, completed the early trifecta with an easy goal off a left cross from Samantha Toledo.

Toledo iced the game in the 52nd minute of the second half with a running strike from the left flank.

“Teves can score,” commented La Salle head coach Hans-Peter Smit on her prized recruit.

“She has one of the best kicks here in the UAAP this year. I expect her to score almost every game. It doesn’t matter how many she scores as long as she scores in a game.

In the second game, the FEU Lady Tamaraws repeated their mastery over the University of Santo Tomas (UST), 4-1, in their biggest season win.

Conceding an early goal in the 9th minute off a 40-yard volley from UST midfielder Pauline Lorque, the Lady Tamaraws came in the second half aggressive on offense, particularly on set pieces and counterattacks.

In the 50th minute, attacking midfielder Jonela Albiño scored the opener for FEU with a headed goal off a free kick from Carmela Altiche from top right of the box.

The go-ahead goal was struck by Dionesa Tolentin in the 55th minute off a rebounded header from a poor clearance by UST goalkeeper Janine Mahinay.

Albiño then goaled from 30 yards off another set piece in the 74th minute to finish the game with a brace.

Reserve striker Marinell Cristobal padded the Lady Tamaras’ goal difference with a running goal off an interception of Samantha Asilo’s possession in the 82nd minute.

“Very disappointed during the first half, right, but yung challenge is the preparation on the mental [aspect] sa second half,” commented FEU head coach Let Dimzon after the game.

In addition, she credited FEU’s defensive adjustment in the second half as key to victory.

“We anticipate lahat ng long balls [ng UST] that’s why may marking, may covering, so I think ang the best ay ma-hold ang back kasi isa lang ang attacking player ng UST,” the former national coach added.

With today’s wins, both La Salle and FEU are at the top two of the standings with 12 points. The Lady Archers, though, holds a better goal differential with +13 as compared to the Lady Tamaraws’ +7 for the top spot.

There is no final four in the women’s football tournament as only the top two teams will advance straight to the finals.

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