By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters head coach Let Dimzon aimed for another Finals appearance for the team after trouncing the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 2-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s football tourney held earlier today, March 23, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.

“Syempre, in-a-aim talaga namin is makapasok kami ng (Of course, we really aim that we can enter the) Finals so we have to strengthen our attacks, same with the defense,” she said in a post-game interview.

During the first half, FEU defender Jonela Albino paved early momentum for the team as she scored one for the team during the 15th minute.

With the neck and neck defense, both teams struggled to get past the post upon entering the second half.

It was at the 87-minute mark when green-and-gold team captain Dionesa Tolentin made a lucky strike to secure FEU’s win.

The green-and-gold chief tactician still acknowledged the experiences they gained upon competing against a physical UP squad.

“Although we struggled before going to this game, so [now] at least na-try namin na i-hold ‘yung bawat isa (we tried to get a hold of each other). We had a lot of experience[s] coming into this game, so ang sabi ko nga lang sa kanila during the meeting is kailangan lang nila ma-build ‘yung confidence nila (so what I told them after the meeting is that they just need to build their confidence),” Dimzon shared.

Being the only undefeated team in the collegiate league, Dimzon also took note of the importance of communication as they vie for another championship title.

“Communication and adrenaline—sometimes hindi nila ma-control kaya matagal kaming nakakapag-adjust (they cannot control that is why it takes us time to adjust)… So ‘yung adjustment ang (the adjustment is) first and then second if they can communicate within each other from each line, so I think mas magiging maganda ‘yung movement at tsaka how they [will] work sa mga counterattacks (there will be a better performance at their movement and how they will work on counterattacks)

FEU now sits at a 4-0-0 win-draw-loss record and remains at the top of the women’s football standings to close the first round of eliminations.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)