THE UST Lady Booters finished in eighth place in the 2023 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League after trashing the Stallion Laguna FC, 5-2, at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite on Sept. 9, Saturday.
UST failed to qualify for the knockout playoffs and concluded its campaign with a 2-6-1 win-loss-draw record.
“The primary objective of joining PFF Women’s League is for the new recruits to gain experience in playing against strong and organized teams,” UST head coach Aging Rubio told the Varsitarian. “The competition played a vital role in shaping and reorganizing the team for the upcoming UAAP season.”
Lady Booter Stephanie Logastua notched a brace in the first 12 minutes of the match before her fellow Lady Booter Nicah Asilo tapped in a 27th-minute goal to give UST a commanding 3-0 lead.
Stallion’s Alexandra Fabros scored the first goal for her team in the 33rd minute, 3-1.
Five minutes later, UST’s Mecha Ursal outran Stallion’s defensive frontline and went for a push shot in the 38th minute that extended UST’s lead at halftime, 4-1.
Both teams had one goal apiece in the second half courtesy of Stallion’s Allyssa Ube’s and Lady Booter Samantha Asilo in the 52nd and 88th minutes, respectively.
PFF campaign
Prior to the win, the Lady Booters lost against the Kaya FC, UP Fighting Maroons, and FEU Lady Booters, while it settled for a draw against the Manila Nomads FC.
UST had a hard time climbing the standings as the Lady Booters dropped their first three games against the Manila Digger FC, DLSU Lady Booters, and Tuloy FC.
The UST Lady Booters only notched their first win against the Azzurri SC, 4-1, last July 23 at the same venue.
“The experience playing in the women’s league is a big help for the team. We were able to see the things that we need to improve and the things that we have to continue doing because it’s effective,” Rubio said.
“When it comes to the purpose, we were able to hit our objectives, we see a lot of progress in the technical and tactical side of football,” she added. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
