Jan Baito struck twice, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner, as University of Santo Tomas overcame a 10-man Far Eastern University, 3-2, to strengthen its hold on fourth place in the UAAP Season 89 men’s football tournament on Thursday night at the UP Football Stadium.

Baito converted a well-executed free kick in the 90+2 minute to seal all three points for the Golden Booters and extend the Tamaraws’ winless streak to four matches.

The UST forward had earlier doubled his side’s lead in the 11th minute, capitalizing on goalkeeper Lance Sanchez being out of position.

UST improved to nine points with a +4 goal difference, moving five points clear of fifth-placed FEU, which remained ahead of the chasing pack despite its superior +6 goal difference.

The Golden Booters made an early breakthrough through a set piece, with Trez Mariñas opening the scoring just three minutes into the match for his second goal of the season.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“Good job to Coach Bok (Carlos Santiago) and Coach Biboy (Esteban) for preparing the game, especially sa free kicks, kasi minsan lang to nangyayari sa amin,” said coach Marjo Allado.

“We started the game strong. We defended well tapos naka-score after, I think, 15 minutes. Naging complacent kami instead of defending, nag-commit at naka-goal sila. Early in the second half, nakakatakot kasi naka-goal ng maaga, then a lot of chances,” he lamented.

FEU pulled one back in the 43rd minute through Theo Libarnes, who scored his third goal of the tournament to give the Tamaraws a lifeline before halftime.

However, FEU’s comeback bid suffered a setback when Francis Sambaan received his second yellow card of the match just before the break, leaving the Tamaraws with 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, FEU drew level just three minutes into the second half as Karl Absalon tapped home his third goal of the season.

The defeat spoiled the return of Selwyn Mamon, one of the Tamaraws’ leading goalscorers, who had missed the previous two matches.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“We tried to take advantage sa isang red card ni FEU and ayun naka goal kami in the last few minutes. Congrats to the boys kase nanalo kami,” Allado said.

“We’re aiming to win the last match. Di na namin iniisip yung standings. Importante yung panalo lang. We have to step up more. Ayusin namin yung game plan against La Salle and hopefully makapanalo kami,” he added.

UST will close out its first-round campaign against La Salle at 7 p.m. on Sunday, while FEU will look to snap its winless run against Ateneo at 4:30 p.m. on the same day. – TJ

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Far Eastern University cruised past National University, 5-0, to secure its sixth straight victory in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The victory marked the 19th consecutive win for the five-peat-seeking Lady Tamaraws and extended their unbeaten streak to 34 matches, having collected at least a point in each outing.

They also replicated their 5-0 rout of the Lady Bulldogs in their opening-day clash last September 23.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Composure and attitude in front of goal were among the key aspects head coach Let Dimzon wanted to emphasize in the second round, and the defending champions got off to a strong start.

Angel Egay opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a close-range finish before Kyza Cholina doubled FEU’s advantage 16 minutes later. Althea Rebosura and Judie Arevalo then added to the tally with goals in the 39th minute and stoppage time, respectively, to give the Lady Tamaraws a commanding four-goal lead at halftime.

The second half proved more challenging for FEU’s attack as NU put up a stronger defensive stand. However, substitute Tiffany Trinidad found the back of the net with just eight minutes remaining to complete the rout.

“Well, honestly ‘yung first half namin is medyo maganda siya, especially since naka-goal agad kami 11 minutes pa lang ng game. So, much better lang nung first half than the second half in terms of scoring,” said coach Fitch Arboleda.

“Although we tried to manage lang rin ‘yung load ng mga games. We managed lang rin ‘yung mga subs para hindi kami mahirapan kasi’yung schedule medyo tight, so kailangan rin naming i-rotate ‘yung mga players,” added Arboleda, a former University of the East player who now serves as a coach.

FEU moved further clear at the top of the standings with 18 points, five ahead of De La Salle University, which has 13 after being held to a 1-1 draw by the University of Santo Tomas earlier in the day. The Lady Tamaraws’ goal difference stood at plus-x.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Meanwhile, NU stuck to its plan of employing a low block early in the match and nearly caught FEU off guard with an early scoring opportunity. However, Lourdes Ambahan’s run and attempt from the flank came to nothing as Blaine Barredo calmly collected the ball.

Steffanie Escalante also came close to scoring in the second half, capitalizing on NU’s improved spacing and possession, but her attempt failed to produce a goal.

The Lady Tamaraws will shoot for their milestone 20th consecutive victory when they face the dangerous UST Lady Booters on Saturday, October 17, at 4:30 p.m.

On the other hand, the Lady Bulldogs, who have yet to earn a point this season, will look to break through against the in-form University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the following match at 7 p.m.

The post FEU blanks NU to extend winning streak to 19 matches in UAAP women’s football appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

By: Nicole Parallag

Despite missing three players due to suspension, Far Eastern University dug deep to earn a 1-0 victory over the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.

Starting goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, Kyza Colina, and Kristine Dela Peña were all serving a one-game suspension after being sent off against University of the Philippines last Sunday.

Instead, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on Julia Sacmar’s goal and rookie goalkeeper Mikah Ranain to escape with the win.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Sacmar broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, capitalizing on an opportunity inside the box to put FEU ahead. It was the 20-year-old forward’s third goal of the season, making her the league’s leading scorer so far.

Meanwhile, Ranain made her debut as FEU’s starting goalkeeper and recorded her first clean sheet in the UAAP in place of the suspended Barredo.

FEU remained atop the standings with nine points, level with De La Salle University but ahead on goal difference, with a plus-10 compared to the Lady Booters’ plus-six.

“Medyo nag-struggle once na nag-sub na ng players, especially positioning. Polishing lang sa movements and plays and yung adjustment namin, especially this game. Konting pats on their shoulder, I’m still satisfied with the game because they did their best,” FEU head coach Let Dimzon stated.

Now on a 16-game winning streak and a 34-game unbeaten run, FEU will look to extend its impressive stretch when it faces Ateneo de Manila University in the opening game of Saturday’s triple-header at 2:00 PM.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

On the other hand, UST struggled to find a breakthrough as missed chances kept the Lady Booters off the scoresheet.

Gleydille Añonuevo came close to putting UST ahead in the 14th minute, but Ranain was quick to make the save. Joyce Gemberva had another chance to level the score in the 81st minute following a free kick, but her effort sailed over the bar.

UST suffered its second loss of the season after also falling to Ateneo in its opening match. The Lady Booters will look to bounce back when they face La Salle at 4:30 PM.

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