UAAP: Amilhamja strike rescues a point for UST women against La Salle

MANILA — Princess Amilhamja came off the bench to salvage a point for University of Santo Tomas, as they scored a 1-1 draw against De La Salle University in the second round of the UAAP Season 89 women’s football tournament on Wednesday.

The rookie Amilhamja made a perfectly timed run to meet captain 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,” said UST head coach Marjo Allado, whose wards managed just one win in the first round.

“The girls are trying their best to score,” he stressed. “We lack scoring talaga, like, we dominated the game nung first round, but we lack the finishing.

“Pero, continue lang, like today, after that one goal, hindi sila affected and nakuha kami ng isang maganda,” he added.

Amilhamja’s moment of magic at the UP Diliman Football Stadium came just nine 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.

Despite surrendering the lead, 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.

Both teams return to action on Saturday, October 17, with UST facing FEU at 4:30 p.m. before La Salle takes on Ateneo de Manila University at 7 p.m.