It’s down to two teams as the University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University will contest the PFF Women’s Cup final on Saturday 17 December 2022 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
The final match kicks off at 7:00 PM while the third place play-off match between Kaya FC-Iloilo and Tuloy FC is set at 4:00 PM.
Both teams entered the knockout stage on the bottom half of the draw as UP was fourth seed while FEU was the third seed and had to battle against higher seeded teams to put their spot in the final.
UP mounted a monumental upset after it defeated favorites Kaya FC-Iloilo, 5-4 on penalties after it finished scoreless after 120 minutes in the first semi-final. Jazinda Borra scored the winning penalty while Jennifer Baroin and Frances Acelo providing the defensive stops.
The other semi-final saw FEU hammer Tuloy FC, 3-0, with goals from Katrina Magbitang, Lylhanie Cayabyab, and Dionesa Tolentin to advance to the final.
The two teams previously met in the elimination stage with FEU winning 2-0 Tolentin and Regine Rebosura on the scoresheet.
UP head coach Andres Gonzales and FEU head coach Marnelli Dimzon both shared their thoughts on the final match.
“The girls accepted their capabilities on what to do to contain the strengths of their opponents. and the awareness and willingness to sacrifice and work for the team,” said Gonzales. “We’re appreciative of the efforts of our players even if they’re not good individually, but all the more that we have to work together as a team.”
“Going into the finals we really need to motivate the players and prepare them individually, physically, and mentally,” said Dimzon. “The players have good character and the more they are challenged, they show their fighting spirit.”
The final match is the culmination of the PFF Women’s Cup which kicked off last 05 November and saw a total of 32 matches from the elimination stage until the final match.