Amidst unforgiving summer heat, the DLSU Booters laced up for the 3rd Coca Cola Football Festival held in the Alabang Country Club Football Field, where the Green Booters took home the championship behind the success of their renowned defense. After failing to win the UAAP title last year, both squads began preparations for next season early in their bid to bring back the championship to Taft Avenue.
La Salle fielded two teams each for the Men’s Open and the Women’s Open. The Green Booters played with a fluid brand of football, despite their UAAP campaign being six months away, as both squads, DLSU-1 and DLSU-2, finished with 3 wins and 1 loss in group play.
The Lady Booters were not as fortunate though as both sub-teams failed to qualify for the quarterfinals after finishing in third place within their respective groups. The Lady Booters fielded a decimated line-up as key players missed the tourney due to various prior commitments.
Coach Hans Smit’s DLSU-1 was bannered by mainstays Gio Diamante, Greggy Yang and Matthew Nierras, while DLSU-2 was led by newcomer Kamanlee Sulaiman.
The defender Nierras was adjudged the tournament MVP after DLSU-1 was awarded the championship after besting the field of 25, while DLSU-2 finished at third place.
After losing their opening match, DLSU-1 stormed through the competition, winning their next six matches to claim the championship. In the quarterfinals, the Green Booters topped Peligrosd FC, 1-0, to set up a match-up with Group C topnotcher Bright Star FC.
In the midst of the summer heat, the semifinal match turned sour after the Bright Star FC defenders tackled incoming sophomore forward Gelo Diamante, sending him to the ground and causing a standoff between the players and coaches of both squads. After the altercation settled down, the Green Booters handily disposed of their rivals, taking a 2-1 victory following a late goal by Diamante’s older brother, Gio.
Things were not as pleasant on the adjacent field as DLSU-2 was upended by Dolphins United in penalties after both teams failed to score. The youthful DLSU-2, bannered mostly by incoming freshmen and sophomores from the reserve unit, put up a valiant effort but failed to match their veteran foes who outscored them, 4-1, in the penalty shoot out.
The younger Green Booters would salvage their day though with a 3-1 victory, once again via a penalty shoot out, against Bright Star FC. The win awarded them third place for the one-day tournament – a massive feat considering their lack of experience and older opponents.
Revenge was imminent though in the final as the older players from DLSU-1 handily disposed of Dolphins FC in the final, 1-0, after Gelo Diamante found the back of the net midway through the second half. It was a rousing victory for the squad from Taft who displayed an efficient passing game and paired it up with a tough defensive line.
It is too early to tell but if their progress remains consistent and with this in the books, the DLSU Booters are looking like they can very well succeed in their trek back up the UAAP heap.
