UAAP: DLSU Men’s Football Team tops eliminations, Women’s Team exits early

It was one eventful weekend for DLSU’s Football Teams as they experienced a mixture of highs and lows with the Women’s Team experiencing an early dismissal from UAAP Season 77, losing to the UP Lady Maroons while the Men’s Team solidified their position on the top of the table with a 1-0 win over the NU Bulldogs.

End of the line

It was a disappointing outcome for the Women’s Team as their season ended early last February 21 with a 2-0 loss to the Lady Maroons. Seniors Chermaine Guanica and Sam Hain played their last official UAAP match for DLSU.

In spite of their disappointing finish, the women’s team went down fighting until the very end. Within the first twenty minutes of the contest, they had three good opportunities for a goal. A few minutes later, they shifted gears and began holding back and defending the many attacks of the Lady Maroons. It was then a back and forth battle to get ahead as both teams had chances via free kicks and corner kicks. Although, at the end of the opening half, both teams remained scoreless in spite of their many chances.

As the second half commenced, both sides had equal opportunities to score. In the 62nd minute. It was in the 81st minute where tragedy struck for La Salle as UP managed to get a goal through a header by Marie Huff that gave them a 1-0 lead. It went from bad to worse almost instantly as UP managed to score once again within a few moments to extend their lead to 2-0.

DLSU’s Regine Metillo had an opportunity to score but her shot missed its mark. The game ended with La Salle falling short against the Lady Maroons, 2-0.

A tough victory

The DLSU Men’s Football Team officially ended the elimination round with a clean slate after beating National University with a score of 1-0 in their final match yesterday at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field in Ateneo de Manila.  Despite the win, DLSU’s coaching staff expressed their disappointment in the team’s execution in the midfield.

Both teams started out the game in a sluggish manner, mainly because of the poor condition of the dusty pitch.  La Salle had more attacks early on, but was having difficulty keeping possession with the field’s unpredictability.

However, Sabin Bustamante found the back of the net, capitalising on an error by NU’s goal keeper who mishandled a free kick by La Salle’s Nathan Alquiros.

With their season on the line, the Bulldogs controlled possession for the remainder of the game. However, La Salle’s back four of Matthew Nierras, Gregory Yang, Noel Brago, and Gerald Layumas kept them at bay together with goalkeeper Paeng de Guzman who wisely controlled the tempo of the game.

DLSU struggled on the offensive end after the initial goal and failed to find a rhythm. Head coach Hans Smit used three different strikers in starter Cristian Zubiri and substitutes Rigo Joseph and Chuck Uy in an attempt to develop their attack.

Substitute Jose Montelibano almost scored late in the second half, but his chip over NU’s keeper hit the crossbar.

With the win, La Salle finishes on top of the UAAP Season 77 Men’s Football Eliminations with nine wins, five draws, and no losses. They will face the fourth seed ADMU Blue Eagles in the semifinals at 2 pm on March 1 at the Rizal Memorial Football Field. In their two elimination round matches this season, La Salle and Ateneo finished with draws.