An urban poor lady from Barangay Payatas saved the national champions from an upset.
In an offense where intelligent buildup plays could not crack the opposing defense, Far Eastern University (FEU) forward Regine Rebosura used her street-honed mad skill to score the winning goal as the PFF national champion Lady Tamaraws opened their UAAP season 85 with a hard-earned 1-0 win versus the Ateneo De Manila University Saturday at the University of the Philippines (UP) Football Stadium in Quezon City.
The Payatas FC standout took matters into her own feet in the 64th minute as she darted off a quick throw-in from midfield, eluding a napping Ateneo defense and kicking a nifty high ball to elude goalkeeper Adrielle Lee on a 1v1 for a clean strike on goal.
“Striker ako, so kailangan kong gamitin ang skill ko kapag may open chances,” Rebosura said after the game.
“Pero syempre, we still play as a team, hindi pa rin dapat mawala ang teamwork at disiplina. Pero ang sabi samin ni coach, kapag may tsansa maka-goal, kunin namin,” she added.
The lone goal came after a plethora of chances by the fluid Tamaraw side that was saved by Lee.
The Lady Eagles, on the other hand, had only two chances that were enough to scare the Tamaraw defense.
In the 45th minute, Soleil Schroth eluded FEU goalkeeper Khryss Dacanay on a 1v1 only for the former’s strike to be blocked by wing back Nikk Duran.
In the 53rd minute, left winger Pia Lumagui also had a chance on a counterattacking strike but her sharp shot went straight to Dacanay.
“There were chances but because of lack of players, we have only 16 [in the lineup], but I motivated the players to play for the injured players and those who have problems with the school with eligibility requirements,” explained Ateneo head coach Robert Manlulo.
“We had our chances to crack a goal, especially on set pieces, but we really lack the experience,” he continued.
Both squads will next face the UP Lady Maroons next month.
