BLAMING “lack of communication” among them, defending champions UST Lady Booters crashed out of the UAAP Finals following a 0-1 loss against the Far Eastern University (FEU) to finish at third place during their match at the Erenchun Field in Ateneo de Manila University last Feb. 10.
FEU’s Barbara Sobredo scored the lone goal of the game to deal UST its third loss in eight games.
“Communication on the feeling was really the problem. Just five minutes into the game, there was already shouting,” UST team captain Nikki Regalado admitted.
The Lady Booters capped the season with 11 points on a 3-2-3 win-draw-loss card.
Their male counterparts also absorbed a 0-2 beating against the FEU men’s team last Feb. 6 at the same venue. The España-based skippers settled for fifth place, their worst finish since Season 54, with a 4-1-7 card.
“Our present line-up really hurt our performance this season,” coach Marjo Allado said. “There is still hope next year, and still, our goal is to win the championship.”
FEU’s Eric Giganto converted on a header in the fifth minute, while Jesus Meliza followed suit with a goal at the 10th minute on short flick despite tight defense from UST.
Golden Booter Marvin Barquin had a good look at the goal in the 18th minute, but his shot was blocked by FEU’s goalkeeper.
Shinmar Felongco had a good chance of scoring a goal midway in the first half, but his shot was later called offside by the referee.
“We did our best. We executed our plays and strategies on both the offensive and defensive sides, but still we came up short,” said coach Allado. “We will have our shot again next year, and hopefully we can enter the Final Four once again.”
