The team’s bright future is undeniable.
There was a ton of pressure on the FEU Tamaraws to capture the UAAP crown in UAAP Season 85 women’s football tournament. A win for them would give their school a treble, after FEU had already conquered the juniors level and the men’s division.
But hey, the Tams were up to the task, as they dethroned the DLSU Lady Booters with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium last Sunday. The war for the throne lasted for 120 minutes, entertaining the crowd at hand, which included Philippine women’s national football team members Hali Long and Inna Palacios.
FEU coach Let Dimzon revealed why she had been optimistic about her squad’s chances of reclaiming the title after eight years.
“We want to bring back the championship. And then I think this is the time, when we played against the other university teams during the Women’s League (PFF Women’s Cup), so alam ko na na may direction ‘yung team for the finals,” Dimzon divulged on the One Sports' The Game.
The Tams finished first in the 2022 PFF Women’s Cup, beating the UP Fighting Maroons in the finals. It’s easy to see why Coach Let has been impressed with the work ethic of her young core, led by Season 85 MVP Katrina Magbitang and Rookie of the Year awardee Regine Rebosura.
“Sobrang proud ako sa kanila, regarding sa work ethic nila inside the field. Hindi sila gano'n ka-experienced, ‘yung level of skills nila, hindi gano’n kataas pero ‘yung how they work inside the field, ‘yun ‘yung talagang commendable,” the veteran tactician said.
“Even in training, they receive a lot of pressure coming from me pero ‘pag dating sa training, sila-sila mismo, nagtutulungan. So, makikita mo talaga ‘yung spirit.”
While Magbitang is in her third playing year, she and Rebosura played only for the first time in the UAAP this season. Their team is young, and there are lots of reasons to believe why they can win more championships in the years to come.
“Sabi ko nga [sa players], ‘Malayo ang mararating niyo kasi sa ngayon nakikita ko na ‘yung work ethic niyo, and then if we develop pa individually ‘yung skills ninyo, ‘yung understanding of the game ninyo, mas malayo ang mararating ng team.’ Hindi lang tayo dito sa season na’to. Again, looking forward for the next seasons,” Dimzon claimed.