NABAWI ng Far Eastern University ang UAAP women’s football throne sa 2-1 panalo sa extra time kontra La Salle sa finals noong Linggo sa Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Nakumpleto rin ng Tamaraws ang golden treble na huli nilang nakamit noong 2015 makaraang makumpleto ng high school boys squad ang 11-peat, dalawang buwan na ang nakalilipas, at wakasan ng men’s team ang eight-year title drought noong nakaraang Huwebes.
Ang kabiguan ay tumapos sa kampanya ng Lady Archers para sa pambihirang four-peat.
“Our players never gave up,” sabi ni coach Let Dimzon makaraang makopo ng FEU ang kanilang ika-11 women’s crown overall upang mapantayan ang La Salle bilang winningest program sa liga.
“Even when we played against La Salle during the first round and they had a big lead, we still kept fighting, and the same in our last game during the second round,” dagdag pa niya.
“That’s the highlight of my team—until it’s over, they never give up. Considering that most of La Salle’s players come from the youth national team and my players don’t have that much experience, but the way they work on the field is commendable.”
Ang Lady Tamaraws at Lady Archers ay kapwa may ilang pagkakataon na umiskor ngunit hindi maka-convert sa first half.
Sinimulan ng FEU ang scoring in sa 47th minute sa pamamagitan ni rookie Regine Rebosura.
May ilang pagkakataon ang Lady Archers na makatabla subalit napangalagaan ng Lady Tamaraws ang kalamangan sa likod ni keeper Jessa Lehayan na gumawa ng ilang key saves.
Pinawalang-bisa rin ang match-tying goal ng Lady Archers sa 85th minute nang tawagin ito ni referee Oliver Moreno na off-side.
Subalit nagawa ng La Salle na i-extend ang laro nang umiskor si Shai del Campo ng last-gasp equalizer sa stoppage time.
Gayunman ay umatake ang FEU sa extra time.
Naglagay ng pressure kay Lady Archers’ goalkeeper Alexandra Gumilao, na gumawa ng multiple saves, nabawi ng Lady Tamaraws ang trangko nang ma-tap ni Rebosura ang bola sa home sa 118th minute upang selyuhan ang kampeonato.
“She came from futsal and then transitioned to football,” ani Dimzon. “That’s a big reveal from Regine, but her technical ability is impressive. You can see her work ethic, how she adjusts in every training session and game.
Despite making mistakes, she tries to keep up with the 11-aside format.”
