Women’s football season begins with a heated doubleheader as defending two-peat champion Kaya FC-Iloilo trounced reigning four-peat UAAP champion Far Eastern University (FEU), 4-1, while former three-time champion De La Salle University nipped 2016 UAAP champion University of the Philippines (UP), 1-0, on the opening matchday of the 2026 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League season on Saturday at the Adidas Football Park in the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
National team standout and FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup veteran Inday Tolentin sizzled for Kaya, scoring a brace in the second half while veteran Joyce Onrubia and newcomer Jysabella Emmanuella Tolentino added a goal each.
“In the first half, we had a hard time scoring. But yeah, we were able to adjust in the second half. Because we really wanted to win,” Tolentin, named Player of the Match, told pff.org.ph.
Kaya had an early crack on the goal in the 22nd minute, with Joyce Onrubia slotting the opening goal off the break from a through pass by Maye Mendaño.
While the Lady Tamaraws stepped up on defense in the next 43 minutes, Kaya’s floodgates opened midway in the second half by reiterating the formula of their first goal–super midfield passing to the target player as in the 65th minute, Tolentin attacks from the right flank and goaled off substitute Tolentino’s cross from the left midfield.
Kaya tripled with Tolentino with an outside shot off Alex Carpio’s midfield interception and Bhebhe Lemoran’s ensuing through pass from midfield in the 80th minute.
And while reigning UAAP Golden Boot winner Judie Arevalo scored a minute later off Sarahgen Tulabing’s forward pass, Tolentin finished the job with a brace off Carmela Altiche’s midfield lob in the 90+1 minute, affirming Kaya’s winning formula in the game.
Earlier, Chenny Dañoso scored the winning lone goal in the 29th minute off a transition midfield through pass from Maegan Alforque to earn the three points for the Lady Booters.
The Fighting Lady Maroons had several forays in the final third but La Salle’s defense and Jessica Pido’s excellent in catching the crosses of UP’s wingers frustrated attempts to equalize.
“Thankful din po ako sa teammates ko po and coaches dahil kung hindi po dahil sa kanila hindi ko rin po yung ma-achieve yung goal,” Dañoso said after the game.
It will be a rematch of the past four UAAP finals on the next matchday, July 11, between FEU and La Salle in the 7 PM nightcap while Kaya will shoot for a second straight win against UP at 4 PM.
All PFF Women’s League matches are of free admission at the Adidas Football Park while livestream are for free over at The Philippine Football Federation and PFF Women’s League Facebook pages, as well as The Philippine Football Federation YouTube channel.
