The UAAP’s longest-reigning collegiate football dynasty extended its dominance onto the futsal court as four-peat football champions Far Eastern University (FEU) blazed through the hardwood to claim the inaugural PFF Futsaliga Women’s Division crown with a commanding 4-1 victory over Beach Hut FC on Sunday, May 17, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Lady Tamaraws were clinical in the final, displaying flawless passing, sharp positioning, and disciplined movement under the steady guidance of long-time coach and former Filipinas head coach Let Dimzon.
FEU entered the final having scored 30 goals while conceding just one in eight matches prior to the championship game — easily the best defensive record across all four divisions of the PFF Futsaliga.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Let, we just have to play our game and enjoy, pero we have to carry the pride and the title of FEU,” said Women’s Division MVP Lenlen Cristobal, who scored a brace in the final.
And carry the FEU pride they certainly did.
Despite their season-long brilliance, the Lady Tamaraws had shown one vulnerability during the tournament — a goalless draw against Beach Hut last April 19. In that match, defensive stalwart Tenelyn Otom and goalkeepers Kayla Santiago and Junah Cuerpo combined to hand FEU their only shutout of the season.
Cristobal, however, emphasized that the team entered the final determined to uphold the FEU standard.
“We have to carry the brand, kung paano kami maglaro. Binigay namin ang lahat sa game kanina and yes, we did it!” she exclaimed.
From the opening whistle, recent UAAP Golden Boot winner Judie Arevalo showed that her scoring touch translated seamlessly to futsal. In the fourth minute, she pounced on a loose ball following a Saragen Tulabing strike that slipped from Santiago’s grasp to give FEU an early lead.
Beach Hut quickly attempted to respond, but Otom and former Lady Tamaraw MVP Jonela Albiño were repeatedly denied by Yasmin Elauria, the UAAP Season 87 Best Goalkeeper and current third-choice goalkeeper of the Philippine women’s national futsal team.
FEU doubled their advantage before halftime through a well-executed set-piece play. Off Althea Rebosura’s left-sided kick-in, Cristobal struck quickly, catching both Albiño and Santiago a step too late in closing down the shot.
The second half then turned into an Elauria masterclass.
Time and again, the FEU goalkeeper denied Beach Hut’s relentless attacks as the runners-up desperately searched for a breakthrough inside the attacking arc. But for every missed Beach Hut opportunity, FEU looked ready to punish.
In the 27th minute, Tulabing capitalized on Santiago’s hedge from the right flank, firing a clever finish past the Beach Hut defense.
Three minutes later, Cristobal completed her brace from nearly the same area following a kick-in sequence assisted by Lilibeth Ansabor, effectively sealing the championship for the Lady Tamaraws.
Beach Hut eventually found a consolation goal through Sacey Toledo, who finished off a long ball from Jodi Banzon against substitute FEU goalkeeper Liliana Artillo, who replaced Elauria late in the match.
“Sobrang laki ng tiwala ko sa teammates ko, number one yan. Tapos alam namin na mananalo kami kasi pinaghandaan namin siya, though di kami nagte-training ng futsal kasi wala naman kaming futsal court. Special thanks sa coaches namin kasi di nila kami pinabayaan,” said Elauria, who was named both Bootcamp Player of the Match and tournament Best Goalkeeper after conceding only one goal in nine matches.
For Beach Hut — already champions of the U17 Girls’ Division — the runner-up finish in the Women’s Division remained a rewarding achievement.
“Playing in the championship was definitely rewarding for us because pinaghirapan namin ito,” said Beach Hut head coach Fitch Arboleda, who praised FEU not only as an outstanding football side, but as an exceptional futsal team as well.
The battle for third place was equally thrilling. Enderun College and Azkals Development Club engaged in a grueling back-and-forth encounter before a 36th-minute strike from KC Caballes, assisted by Leona Agana, secured the bronze medal for the Lady Titans.
Meanwhile, the University of Makati captured the Plate title in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to defeat Philippine Women’s University. Golden Boot winner Julia Cabal capped off her stellar campaign with a hat-trick.
Azzurri and Forza completed the standings in seventh and eighth place, respectively.
