MANILA — Judie Arevalo delivered a late winner to lift Far Eastern University to a hard-earned 3-2 victory over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Blue Eagles had overturned a two-goal deficit and appeared poised to claim their first point against the defending champions since Season 81.
But Arevalo found the back of the net in the 82nd minute for her second goal, powering the Lady Tamaraws to victory.
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FEU's Judie Arevalo celebrates a goal against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament, October 3, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media
Kyaneza Abellar had opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Arevalo's first goal of the match in the 25th minute gave FEU a seemingly comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Jada Bicierro pulled one back for Ateneo in the 45+3rd minute, tapping the ball into the net after FEU goalkeeper Mikah Ranain failed to properly handle Kassandra Zalamea’s free kick.
Ateneo then thought it had snatched a point when Cassandra Zaldarriaga leveled the contest in the 76th minute with a close-range finish.
But Arevalo had the final say, scoring her second goal of the match six minutes later to restore FEU’s lead.
The Blue Eagles still had an opportunity late, with Bicierro releasing a promising cross from the right flank, but none of her teammates could get close enough to connect with it.
While relieved to secure the win, FEU head coach Let Dimzon wants the Lady Tamaraws to become more clinical in front of goal in their succeeding matches.
"'Yung adjustment namin, although yes, we are lacking players, ang nagiging problem namin is selection of passes," said the former national team coach. "Mentally, they have to prepare. Although we worked on polishing the play, but I think 'di ko siya nakita."
"So 'yun ang kailangan namin matutunan, kasi we have a lot of chances to attack. Malaki 'yung tsansa namin, kaso pagdating namin to [the] attacking third, we lose the chances to convert it to goals."
Both schools will wrap up the first round on Wednesday at the same venue.
FEU will face perennial rival De La Salle University at 7 p.m., while Ateneo takes on National University at 4:30 p.m.