The lone goal came from FEU’s Judie Arevalo in the 52nd minute off an assist from Angel Egay.
The Lady Booters then struggled to break through the Lady Tamaraws’ defense and settled for the defeat.
UST head coach Marjo Allado pointed to his team’s second-half collapse as the turning point.
“I think the girls played well,” Allado told the Varsitarian. “But at the start of the second half nagkaroon ng mentality collapse. We also notice na ‘yong nagdrop ‘yong fitness ng players, and we stay low (energy) all the time kaya it is hard for us to counter na.”
Christy Logastua had a clear look at Gly Anoñuevo in the ninth minute but failed to connect inside the box.
UST’s offensive woes continued, as they spent most of the second half defending FEU.
Substitute Iries Dela Cruz nearly doubled the lead in the 69th minute, but her shot was deflected.
UST found a glimmer of hope in stoppage time when substitute Stephanie Logastua was awarded a free kick in the 91st minute but failed to convert, sealing the loss.
Allado lauded his team’s fight in the final minutes but noted the need for consistency.
“In the last five minutes of the game, makikita mo naman ‘yong desire to score, ‘yong desire to attack,” he said. “Pero kung ano ‘yong pinakita mong maganda in the first half, you have to maintain it in the second half kasi the game is 90 minutes.”
UST dropped to 1-2-0, while defending champion FEU stayed perfect at 3-0-0.
The Lady Booters will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
