IT took 120 minutes to crown the first UAAP women’s football champion since 2019.
After the dust settled, Far Eastern University outlasted defending champion De La Salle University, 2-1, at extra time to win the Season 85 championship and complete a ‘treble’ for the Tamaraws football program on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
“Never talaga nag give up ang players namin,” said coach Let Dimzon. “Even when we played against La Salle during the first round kahit andami ng score pero humahabol pa rin kami and last game during the second round also.
“‘Yan ‘yung pinaka highlight ko sa team ko—hangga’t hindi natatapos, never sila nag gi-give up. Considering na halos lahat ng players ng La Salle is coming from the youth national team and ‘yung experience ng players ko is not that high pero the way they work inside the field, hindi matatawaran,” she added.
FEU’s Regine Rebosura gave the Lady Tamaraws the lead 46 minutes into the match, only for La Salle’s Shai del Campo to score a late equalizer in the 90+10th minute of regulation.
However, Dimzon’s squad dug deep. The Lady Tamaraws put pressure on the Lady Booters’ goalkeeper Alexandra Gumilao, who made multiple saves. Rebosura then tapped the ball home in the 118th minute to seal the championship.
“Galing siya from futsal and then nag-football,” said Dimzon. “‘Yan na talaga ‘yung malaking reveal from Regine but again siguro sa quality, kaya niya technically. Nakikita mo ‘yung work ethic, kung papano siya nag-a-adjust every training, every game. Kahit maraming mistakes, pero tina-try niya makisabay sa 11-aside.”
This was the Lady Tamaraws’ 11th championship in the UAAP women’s division.
Also winning the boys’ and men’s titles this season, the Lady Tamaraws secured the school’s third treble in history, with the first two coming in Seasons 76-77.
Rebosura was named Rookie of the Year and Best Midfielder for her outstanding performances throughout the season. La Salle’s Angelica Teves was named Best Striker with eight goals.
University of the Philippines duo Frances Caroline Acelo and Jennifer Baroin were awarded Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender, respectively.
FEU’s Katrina Magbitang was named the Most Valuable Player for Season 85.
Ateneo de Manila University received the Fair Play Award.
Completing the tournament’s podium is UP, which lost to De La Salle University 1-0 in the playoff on May 13.
