La Salle will have a shot at ending UAAP Season 78 on a high note as the University will be bannered by the DLSU Women’s Football Team tomorrow in the football finals. They will face the UP Lady Maroons at 3 pm in the Rizal Memorial Stadium, seeking their first title since the 72nd UAAP Season.
La Salle topped the elimination round with 20 points behind six wins, two draws, and zero losses. Head coach Hans Smit would have to be concerned as the two draws of the Green-and-White came in the last three games of the season against Season 77 champion FEU and UP. The Lady Maroons also finished a place below DLSU after accumulating 14 points on four wins, two draws and two losses.
As of last season, the UAAP has abolished the twice-to-beat advantage for higher-seeded teams in the women’s division finals. Because of this, tomorrow’s match will be a winner-take-all affair.
Season series vs UP
La Salle defeated UP in their first round encounter, 2-0, with Kyla Inquig and rookie Sara Castañeda providing the scoring for La Salle in the 7th and 73rd minute, respectively. The Lady Maroons virtually dictated the entire second half and were able to break down the Green-and-White defense. Despite this, the team from Katipunan failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
In their second-round matchup, the team from Taft was forced to play catch up as they ended up salvaging a 2-2 draw. Shannon Arthur came away with a brace as she tied the game at 2-all late in the second half. Bermudo Sta. Clara and Cristina Delos Reyes came away as the goal scorers for the Lady Maroons.
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Match-ups
Regine Metillo has been a vital cog for the Green-and-White defense and she will be joined by defenders Pangz Silava, Christine Duran, and Toni Nolasco. Behind La Salle’s backline will be national team goalkeeper and team captain Inna Palacios.
Sophomore Irish Navaja and Castañeda have been dictating the offense for La Salle throughout the season. The duo has been reinforced by Nicole Andaya and Chelo Hodges, who support the attack down the flanks.
The top three goal scorers of the season are all from DLSU, with Inquig and the rookie duo of Arthur and Castañeda having combined for 19 goals. Arthur currently leads the league with seven goals, with four coming in the last three games. Inquig and Castañeda currently have six goals each, and are currently tied for second place. However, Castañeda, who led the tournament in scoring after the first round, has been scoreless in her past three games.
In the opposing side, UP has Sta. Clara as their top scorer with four goals, while Kali Navea-Huff, Mary Rose Obra, and Delos Reyes have scored three goals each so far this season.
