Far Eastern University (FEU) booked an obligatory win against Ateneo de Manila, 4-0, as a late surge of goals from three substitutes boosted the finals chance of the national champions in UAAP women’s football Saturday at the University of the Philippines Football Stadium.
The Lady Eagles started the game by wowing the Lady Tamaraws with switches in their players’ usual positions, notably forward Soleil Schroth, who played full-back, and defender Traci Lim, who played as a striker, as this resulted in a goalless first half.
But after a near goal by Carmela Altiche that hit the left goal post late in the first half, the Lady Tamaraws opened their scoring rampage in the 71st minute with a strike from front and center by substitute striker Elna Bongol off a volley from far right.
Starting midfielder Katrina Magbitang followed up in the 82nd minute with a strike from the same position off a right cross by Lylhanie Cayabyab.
“Yung play kasi ng Ateneo, given dyan yung maglo-load sila ng players sa likuran. Pero yung reason [for scoring] is how we’re going to go out of [those] crowded situations sa [aming] harapan,” FEU head coach Let Dimzon explained after the game, citing her team’s “discipline” in negating the Lady Eagles’ off-side trapping.
Figuring out Ateneo’s new defensive scheme, FEU then scored twice in the second half stoppage time, with an attack by forward Dionesa Tolentin off a rebound her own miss and a running strike from the right wing by Leofrance Gayapa in the game’s penultimate minute.
“Maganda lahat ng substitution,” Dimzon added. “Ang importante kasi sa amin we have to win all the games in the second [round] para ma-secure namin ang spot for the finals.”
True enough, FEU needs only to win at least one of their next two games to get an outright final slot, as they now stand at 15 tournament points with five wins and a loss.
In idle second place is De La Salle University with 13 points, though the Lady Archers can score only a maximum of 16 tournament points, having one game left, which is against the Lady Tamaraws on May 6.
The Lady Maroons, meanwhile, have an outside chance for the finals with 11 tournament points, with them having two games left.
