FEU, La Salle to dispute women's football title

c/o UAAP

Match on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium

5 p.m. — FEU vs DLSU (Women’s Final)

For the fourth consecutive campaign, Far Eastern University and De La Salle University will face off in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament championship late Saturday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Final will kickoff at 5 p.m.

In their elimination round encounters, the two teams were evenly matched.

Judie Arevalo’s late equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for FEU on October 30, while an own goal from La Salle’s Chenny Dañoso handed the back-to-back defending champions a narrow 1-0 win on November 30.

The Lady Tamaraws, winners of the Season 85 and 86 titles, secured their finals berth with dominant performances in the elimination round, amassing 22 points from seven wins and one draw in just five matches.

Captain Inday Tolentin, the league's top scorer with seven goals, will lead the charge as FEU aims to continue its remarkable run.

Despite their recent dominance, FEU head coach Let Dimzon is cautioning her players against overconfidence, reminding them of the unpredictability of finals football.

“Kailangan lang talaga maging composed yung players, and again, they have to stay on the ground,” said Dimzon. “Di porket nakuha na namin from the last season and we were able to win the games last season. Kailangan pa rin we have to be focused and kunin kung ano yong objective namin for this season. Kailangan talaga mag-champion.”

Meanwhile, La Salle enters the final as underdogs. The Lady Booters finished second in the elimination round with 14 points from four wins, two draws, and two losses. However, they are coming off a surprising 1-0 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons last Saturday, which could serve as a wake-up call for the squad.

Lady Booters head coach Alvin Ocampo remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of mindset over form as his team seeks its first championship since Season 81.

“So they have to put their mindset already that no matter what system you play, no matter what football you are doing, no matter what, it all boils down to who wants it more, right,” said Ocampo.

“Everything is mental. Everyone's playing football, but a mindset is a big factor in football. It’s a good matchup. The team is always tested as the players’ levels in the women’s division pick up every game.”

The Lady Tamaraws are chasing a historic 13th championship and their first three-peat since Seasons 75–77.

A win would also position FEU for a potential treble season, with the men’s team set to face Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament final on Sunday, and their juniors team, FEU-Diliman, targeting a 13th consecutive crown in the High School Boys' Football Tournament this January.

On the other hand, the Lady Booters, led by rookie striker Dani Tanjangco with five goals this season, are determined to halt FEU’s title streak.

They aim to secure their 12th championship in the women’s division and prevent a third consecutive finals loss to their rivals.