The University of Santo Tomas Lady Booters suffered a 0-8 blowout at the hands of pro-club KAYA F.C.-Iloilo in their opening match of the Philippine Women’s League 2025, on Saturday, March 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Sky football pitch in Pasay.

The Lady Booters struggled to keep pace with the seasoned pro-club, which dominated possession and capitalized on UST’s defensive lapses.

Despite the tough loss, UST head coach Marjo Allado highlighted that the team’s purpose in joining the league was to gain experience and for the girls to enjoy the game.

“Advice naman sa girls na don't worry about the result kasi you're playing against players na naglaro [na] sa higher level. So, ‘yung pinaka-importante dito is of course, we compete, [and at] the same time, mag-learn tayo sa game,” Allado told TomasinoWeb.

“‘Yung ibang senior players, discouraged doon sa score kasi napakataas ng 8-0, pero dapat hindi talaga sila maapektuhan doon kasi this is pre-season. Pero, I like the character ng ibang players na hindi nila kayang tanggapin ‘yung 8-0 ngayon,” he added.

KAYA scored the opening goal in the 7th minute courtesy of Julia Cisneros heading the ball past UST keeper Lizlie Garcia. Lady Booter Jearfelyn Ramos’ supposed goal line ball clearance unfortunately ricocheted off the sidebar, which put the ball past the goal line, 0-1.

National Team member Hali Long quickly tallied Iloilo’s second goal in the 9th minute after a direct shot that went past Garcia, 0-2.

Garcia then successfully rejected another attempt-at-goal off a freekick by KAYA’s Ella Altiche in the 11th minute after reading the trajectory of the ball, successfully defending the shot.

The Lady Booters were able to hold on and at least attempt counterattacks in the next few exchanges of possessions, not until a KAYA corner kick went past UST’s defense line, which was picked up by Julia Humphreys, who found the back of the net in the 40th minute, 0-3.

A meltdown from UST’s defense in the right flank resulted in a goal from Janly Fontamillas in the 43rd minute via a top corner shot, 0-4.

Cisneros opened the second half with her second goal of the game for Iloilo in the 46th minute off an assist from Shelah Cadag, 0-5. UST’s Garcia then snatched yet another KAYA chance for a goal in the next minute.

The España-based squad’s multiple attempt of moving the ball past their own half to score their first goal had KAYA snatch the ball away from the Lady Booters, resulting in an own-goal in the 63rd minute after a shot from Dionesa Tolentin bounced off UST’s Bianca Sy last, 0-6.

A rare chance for the Lady Booters showed up in the 66th minute, but was intercepted by the KAYA defense, resulting in a Cisneros counterattack who recorded her third goal of the match for a hat-trick, 0-7.

Humphreys notched her second goal of the match courtesy of a Rochelle Mendaño free kick in the 78th minute to extend the lead for the Iloilo-based squad, 0-8.

UST attempted to score for the rest of the second half, but KAYA’s defense was impenetrable for the Lady Booters which ultimately sealed off the match.

The Espana-based squad will face another powerhouse in Stallion Laguna F.C. for their second game, on March 30, in the same venue.