By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Jonela Albiño struck in the 111th minute as the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws prevailed over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s football finals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Iloilo City-native booter converted a free kick that broke the 1-1 stalemate to put the Lady Tamaraws ahead and eventually complete a perfect season for a record 12th title overall.

DLSU actually drew first blood in the gold medal game, courtesy of a 16th minute goal by Maria Layacan, but FEU forced a deadlock just before the halftime break courtesy of Dionesa Tolentin.

“Nandoon pa rin po ‘yung eagerness na talunin ‘yung DLSU kasi ito ‘yung pinaka-importanteng laro sa lahat,” said Tolentino, who was awarded the tournament MVP, Golden Boot and Best Striker awards.

“Sobra ‘yung naging preparation namin for this, maaga kami nagigising, maraming mga challenges na nararanasan namin, pero ito po ‘yung kinalabasan ng paghihirap namin,” she added.

For her part, Lady Tamaraws head coach Let Dimzon said she nearly lost hope midway in the game as the FEU could not execute their game plan against the tough Lady Booters squad.

“Talagang nag-lose hope na ako eh dahil wala ‘yung play namin,” Dimzon said.

“Since the start ng Round 1 hanggang second round, ang ganda ng play namin, ang ganda ng passing, pero today hindi lumabas ‘yung passing namin,” she said.

“‘Yung pinaka-importante sa amin ‘yung resiliency ng players, and ‘yun nga, masaya kasi hindi namin ine-expect na makukuha pa namin. Credit to all my players sa lahat ng trinabaho nila ngayon,” she added.

With the victory, FEU had a chance to complete a second straight golden treble as their men’s team went for the crown against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the same venue on Thursday, May 16.

Earlier this season, the FEU Baby Tamaraws won a record 11th UAAP high school boys football championship after defeating the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Booters./ASC, WDJ