THE UST Lady Booters will bank on their national team mainstays this Season 81 after back-to-back finals losses against the De La Salle University in the UAAP women’s football tournament.
The Lady Booters and Lady Archers met in the UAAP finals in the past two seasons, but UST fell short both times.
This year, UST head coach Prescila “Aging” Rubio said the Lady Booters would lean on their core group composed of Hazel Lustan, Charisa Lemoran, Shellah Mae Cadag, Ivy Lopez and Nicole Reyes, who all participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Asian Qualifiers in Tajikistan last Nov. 4 to 13.
The five were part of the Philippine women’s national football team, who placed second in Group A behind a 3-1 win-loss record.
“New experience at a high level ‘yong Qualifiers and naka-build ‘yong lima ng confidence doon na puwede nilang magamit sa UAAP and ‘yong experience, naipapasa nila ‘yon ngayon sa rookies,” Rubio told the Varsitarian.
Despite fielding a roster consisting of mostly rookies this year, Rubio said youth will not be a setback for the team.
“Championship pa rin ang aim namin this season kasi ayaw naman namin na hanggang first runner-up na lang kami palagi. Our rookies are progressing greatly and they’re ready pero we don’t settle for ‘puwede na’ so we’re pushing them further,” she said.
With a better team chemistry this season, graduating team captain Lustan is confident that the Lady Booters can finally bag the crown this year.
She said the 2018 Philippine Football Federation Women’s League where they placed second last November expanded their skill set for the season.
“Kaya naman mag-champion and mataas ang expectation ko sa team namin kasi kahit ‘yong rookies, tumaas ang skill level nila and konting hasa na lang ang kailangan sa mga dapat nilang i-improve,” she said.
With roughly two months left before Season 81, Rubio is confident the team will be ready to compete more than ever.
“Three years na naming tinatrabaho ang championship, lagi kaming nabibitin kaya pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘yan ngayon ng mabuti,” she said.
Aside from La Salle, Rubio sees the Far Easten University as an obstacle for their championship bid.
The Lady Booters have yet to follow up on their championship they last won in 2012.
UAAP football action will begin on March 2 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
