By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) banked on Princess Amilhamja to settle for a 1-1 draw against De La Salle University to open the second-round eliminations of the UAAP Season 89 women’s football at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Amilhamja made a perfectly timed run to meet skipper Rica Gerona’s pass before delicately chipping the ball over La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido in the 67th minute.
“At least the substitutes gave off energy (and that goal) nung second half. ‘Yun din ang na-notice ko, ‘yung girls are trying their best to score. (At least the substitutes brought energy [and that goal] in the second half. That’s what I noticed, too, the girls are really trying their best to score),” said Marjo Allado, now in his fourth year as UST head coach.
Amilhamja’s moment of magic came just 9 minutes after La Salle broke the deadlock through Meagan Alforque.
The Lady Green Booters midfielder, a product of De La Salle Santiago Zobel, was brought down inside the box while dribbling, earning a penalty that she converted a minute later to put her side ahead.
La Salle remained in second place with 13 points and a plus-six goal difference.
UST, meanwhile, moved closer to the top four with four points and a goal difference of zero.
La Salle head coach Joyce Landagan acknowledged the challenges her team faced heading into the second round.
“Into the second round, I think medyo challenging sa ‘min ‘yung last-minute loss namin against (Far Eastern University), and with the schedule siguro it’s hard for the girls to recover. (Into the second round, I think our last-minute loss against Far Eastern University was a bit challenging for me, and with the schedule it might be hard for the girls to recover),” she said.
Both teams return to action on Oct. 17, with UST taking on FEU at 4:30 p.m. and La Salle clashing with Ateneo de Manila University at 7 p.m. (PNA)
