MANILA -- Far Eastern University completed a perfect elimination round campaign in the UAAP Season 88 women's football tournament after cruising past Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, on Saturday.
The Lady Tamaraws' big win at the UP Diliman Football Stadium also dashed the Blue Eagles' hopes of reaching the tournament finals.
FEU, meanwhile, will enter the championship match with 24 points and a plus-20 goal difference. They will be up against De La Salle University in the gold medal game on November 15, where they will aim for their fourth consecutive championship and 14th overall in the women's division.
The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, saw their dream of entering the championship game cut short, as they needed at least a draw to stay in contention.
Despite the defeat, Ateneo still made it to the podium for the first time since Season 79. Their 11 points and minus-5 goal difference earned them the bronze.
FEU celebrates after Leofrance Gayapa scored against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 women's football tournament, November 8, 2025 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City. UAAP Media
"I feel blessed sa mga players ko kasi, siyempre, hindi ako nag-start with a strong team so four of the players from the starting 11 are coming from the bench," said coach FEU Let Dimzon. "So yung performance nila, na pinakita kanina, I'm very satisfied, scoring 4-1 against Ateneo."
FEU set the tone early, giving Ateneo little room to breathe as key strikes from Jelan Pabuaya, Judie Arevalo, and Althea Rebosura powered the Lady Tamaraws to a commanding victory.
Pabuaya opened the scoring just three minutes in, but Ateneo's Kassandra Zalamea quickly responded with a free-kick equalizer in the ninth minute, leveling the match at 1–1.
Judie Arevalo, one of FEU's most reliable forwards this season, restored the lead in the 29th minute, slipping past Ateneo's backline off a precise assist from Sarahgen Tulabing. By the 42nd minute, Pabuaya sliced through the defense before setting up Althea Rebosura for a clean finish, stretching FEU's lead to two goals.
The Blue Eagles almost sparked a comeback in the 63rd minute, as Angely Alferez threatened twice, pressing the Lady Tamaraws and coming close to scoring. In the 73rd minute, Leofrance Gayapa capitalized on a miscue by keeper Chelsey Casals, pouncing on a loose ball for a close-range finish that put FEU further ahead and effectively sealed the match.
FEU will now set its sights on La Salle in what marks the fifth straight final between the two schools. This season, FEU has already beaten the Lady Booters twice—2–1 on October 9 and again last Wednesday in the eliminations.
Despite their dominance over La Salle in Season 88, Dimzon remains cautious, stressing that anything can happen in the November 15 final at UP Diliman Football Stadium, with kickoff scheduled at 5 p.m.
"Although nakalaro na namin ang La Salle, we need to be focused," said the former national team mentor. "Hindi kami mag-re-relax dahil lang natalo namin ang La Salle for two games. Kailangan talaga, we need to strengthen our attacks, yung discipline in both attack and defending, and then also yung rotation ng players."