It was a golden weekend for the FEU football program as it copped the UAAP Season 87 Women’s and Men’s program on back-to-back days.
FEU completes ‘three-peat’ in Women’s Football
Far Eastern University’s reign as the queen of UAAP women’s football has been extended for a third consecutive season.
With Regine Rebosura’s winning goal, FEU outlasted De La Salle University in a thrilling 3-2 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Final on Saturday at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Lady Tamaraws, with a league-record 13 championships, secured their first three-peat since 2013-2015 (Seasons 75-77). This win also marked Let Dimzon’s seventh title as head coach since taking the role in 2011 (Season 73).
“I’m very happy about this achievement,” said Dimzon. “Siyempre, it’s very rare mangyari na mag-the-three peat ka, pero we’re still looking for more. This is a good gift for those who are graduating this school year. They’re the ones working hard on the field and they are in the game. Although may mga lapses kami, but again, ayun ang maganda sa mga players namin — they never gave up.”
Rebosura, who had broken the Lady Booters’ hearts with a brace in the Season 85 final, scored the decisive 67th-minute header off a cross from teammate Carmela Altiche, securing the crown for the Lady Tamaraws.
Judie Arevalo, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, gave FEU its first lead in the 28th minute.
La Salle equalized five minutes later, with Chenny Mae Dañoso’s long-range shot from outside the FEU box beating goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria.
Just before the first half ended, the Lady Tamaraws regained the lead through Altiche’s penalty, awarded after Lady Booters defender Maegan Alforque fouled Marinelle Cristobal.
La Salle’s Maye Mendaño then scored the second equalizer in the 56th minute, converting a free kick from the left flank that narrowly crossed the line.
After another deadlock, it was FEU that found the final breakthrough with Rebosura’s header, for which La Salle had no reply. Striker Shai Del Campo had a shot blocked by Elauria, while Lady Tamaraws defender Lyka Jane Cuenco made a dramatic goalline clearance during a scramble in her box.
Moments after sealing another crown, Dimzon set her sights on a fourth straight title for FEU, as captain Inday Tolentin, Janlay Fontamillas, Jonela Albiño, Erma Balacua, Cuenco, and Altiche all graduate as champions.
“It will be hard for us since yung mawawala sa amin is yung backline namin,” Dimzon said. “Very important now is the recruitment and also yung work within the group. Since we still have time to prepare for the next season, ayun ang aming tatrabahuin ngayon to improve yung second stringers sa backline.”
With its reign extended atop the women’s division, FEU will now aim to reclaim the men’s crown by defeating Ateneo de Manila University in the final of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament at 5 p.m. on Sunday, also at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
FEU also claimed the Women’s Chess and Women’s Athletics golds this Season 87.
Meanwhile, this marks the third consecutive season that La Salle finished in second place.
Several Lady Tamaraws also earned individual honors.
Elauria, with four clean sheets, was named Best Goalkeeper, while Albiño, a native of Iloilo City, earned the Best Defender title.
After a crucial performance that included a goal and an assist, Altiche was named Most Valuable Player.
Tolentin, who also received the Best Midfielder award, and La Salle rookie striker Dani Tanjangco were named co-awardees of the Golden Boot with five goals each.
“Nakaka-overwhelm kasi pangarap lang namin to makuha yung three-peat,” Tolentin said. “Ngayon nakuha namin, sobrang saya di lang para sa akin, kundi sa coaches namin at sa teammates ko. Sobrang saya namin ngayon so amin lang is sana ma-keep pa namin yung title namin ngayon. Di lang three-peat pero four, five, six(-peat) pa.”
Tanjangco capped off her stellar first year as a Lady Booter by also earning the Rookie of the Year and Best Striker awards.
The Lady Tamaraws were also presented with the Fair Play Award.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas earned the bronze medal in Season 87, securing its first podium finish since Season 81.
FEU completes redemption mission after epic Ateneo shootout
Far Eastern University defeated top-seeded Ateneo de Manila University 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time for its second UAAP Men’s Football title in three years on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Rico Braga’s game-winning penalty and Mon Diansuy’s crucial save in the shootout gave FEU just enough of a boost to edge past Ateneo and claim the crown.
“Puso kasi alam kong nauna kami nakamiss pero okay lang kasi alam ko rin masasave ko rin lahat yun eh. Luckily, naisave naman,” shared Diansuy after the match.
FEU’s last championship in Season 85 also came at the expense of the Blue Eagles, with the Tamaraws delivering a dominant 4-1 victory.
This win avenged their heartbreaking 0-1 loss to the University of the Philippines in Season 86.
The victory marked FEU’s 12th overall championship in UAAP football, cementing their continued dominance in the collegiate football scene.
Spanish head coach Roman Oliver made history as the first foreign tactician to lead a team to the UAAP Men’s Football championship since Kim Chul-Su, who guided FEU to back-to-back titles in Season 76 and 77.
“Everything was against us, even with some unfair decisions and losing some players. But despite all these challenges, we fought. We deserved the win. We had more chances than them in the 90 and 120 minutes. And then in the penalties, we missed the second, we were struggling, but we always came back. The gold is back home, so we’re very happy about that,” said the first-year head coach.
In the penalty shootout, Libarnes gave FEU the lead with a left-side shot, putting the Tamaraws ahead 2-1. Ateneo’s Maquiling responded quickly, netting a goal to level the score at 2-2.
FEU’s hopes dimmed when Edgar Aban’s shot was deflected by Ateneo’s goalkeeper, Cezar, giving the Blue Eagles the chance to take the lead.
Dov Cariño capitalized on that opportunity, putting Ateneo ahead 3-2.
Mcjay Nañiel equalized for FEU in the next round of penalties, sending his shot to the right side of the net.
However, Diansuy was unable to save Javier Bengson’s shot, leaving FEU still trailing 3-4.
Abdulnasser Mustapa kept FEU’s hopes alive with a successful penalty, and then the Tamaraws caught a break when Diansuy saved Andy Roxas’ shot, bringing the score level at 4.
With the pressure mounting, Rico Braga stepped up and scored the decisive penalty, sending his shot past Cezar to give FEU the 5-4 lead.
With the championship on the line, Diansuy redeemed his earlier slip-up by saving Jetro Flores’ shot, securing the 5-4 victory and sealing the Tamaraws’ triumph.
In regulation, after a defensive first half, FEU took the lead in the 65th minute when Theo Jico Libarnes found the back of the net, slipping the ball past Cezar.
However, Ateneo’s veteran striker Leo Maquiling answered back in the 72nd minute with a powerful strike from the right side, leveling the score at one-all.
FEU’s Ace Amita had a chance to reclaim the lead early in extra time, but his shot was deflected off the crossbar in the 94th minute.
Frustrations mounted as both teams struggled to find the net. FEU’s head coach Roman Oliver was issued a yellow card in the 108th minute for excessive protesting.
At the 120+1 mark, Ateneo’s Andy Roxas had a final attempt at goal with a free kick, but Mon Diansuy made the save, sending the match into a penalty shootout.
Despite missing key players, including team captain Mel Anthony Baylon and midfielder Karl Absalon due to suspension, FEU secured the title. The Tamaraws will also bid farewell to seniors Eugene Arriola, Mustapa, and Gerald Estores as they graduate.
FEU’s 4th championship in UAAP Season 87 was complemented by their Women’s Football title on Saturday, alongside victories in Women’s Chess and Women’s Athletics.
Edgar Aban was named Rookie of the Year for Season 87, while Mon Diansuy earned MVP honors for his outstanding performance in the final match.
Ateneo’s Artuz Cezar was named Best Goalkeeper, Jet Dela Cruz was recognized as Best Defender, and Dov Cariño was awarded Best Midfielder.
Cariño also took home the Golden Boot after scoring 11 goals. Leo Maquiling was named Best Striker.
Meanwhile, last season’s champion University of the Philippines earned the bronze medal in the competition.
