DIONESA Tolentin netted a brace, propelling Far Eastern University to the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Final after a 4-1 victory over the University of the Philippines Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Tolentin, who hails from Zamboanga del Norte, capped off the Lady Tamaraws drubbing of the Fighting Maroons by putting the ball at the back of the net in the 84th and 90th minutes of the contest to lead FEU to its fifth straight victory this season.
The Lady Tamaraws, who have returned to first place in the standings with 15 points, will gun for a record 12th championship in the division.
This is also the ninth time FEU has reached the final under coach Let Dimzon, who emphasized to her that they should continue working hard despite reaching this milestone with three games left in the elimination round.
“It was a good game for us,” said Dimzon.
“Since na-secure namin yung finals, we just have to prepare lang talaga, especially sa finishing since yan yung nagiging problem namin since the first half, marami kaming chances pero hindi namin na-ca-capitalize into scoring,” she added.
The Lady Tamaraws were forced to shift gears after conceding first near the halftime break. Fighting Maroons midfielder Kam Mangrobang opened the scoring in the 41st minute, but that was as good as it got for her team.
Melai Altiche brought FEU back on level terms in the 43rd minute while Judie Arevalo gave the Lady Tamaraws their first taste of the lead in the 54th minute as Tolentin finished the job with her brace to end the match.
FEU returns to action this Saturday against the University of Santo Tomas at 6:30 p.m. on the same pitch.
“Wino-work naman namin is kung pano kami lalaro sa finals,” said Dimzon. “Sinasabi ko nga sa kanila na we are preparing for finals, we’re not playing an ordinary game, we have to play na kailangan na maglalaro for the final game.
“Ang preparation namin is final game. We have to improve every aspect of the game… Even ngayon na nasa sure slot kami for the finals, we need to improve yung attacking play pa rin namin,” she added.
On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons remained in third place with seven points and a minus-1 goal difference behind two wins, one draw, and three losses.
UP will also face UST for its next game on April 27 at 4 p.m. at the same venue.