The DLSU Lady Booters launched their UAAP Season 86 redemption campaign with an emphatic win over the ADMU Lady Eagles, 5-0, earlier today, February 24, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Feasting on both ends of the field, the Green-and-White was spearheaded by Shai Del Campo and Maria Layacan who scored braces, while Jan Jumawan also chipped in a goal to add to the grand total.
Without an answer to the ironclad La Salle defense, the Blue Eagles finished with no points on the board despite their fearless efforts.
Strong opening
Following a heartbreaking second-place finish in last season’s tournament, the Lady Booters went in with eager intensity, controlling the pace of the game and much of the possession from the get-go.
La Salle penetrated their opposition’s box twice within the first 10 minutes of the half but was quickly thwarted by ADMU defenders. After holding command of the possession game, the golden opportunity for the Lady Booters arose in the 18th minute, with Layacan working her magic along the left flank of the field. A well-timed cut from Del Campo found her open in the center of the box, which Layacan quickly spotted as she sent a stellar cross for an easy goal, 1-0.
The Green-and-White did not have to wait too long for another opportunity to arise as another game-changer came during the 24th minute of play. Still carrying the momentum of their first goal, Layacan once again made a momentous play for the team from Taft as she snuck through the Blue Eagles’ defenders and was assisted on a lofty pass to extend DLSU’s lead for two, 2-0.
With La Salle’s tenacious defense taking the reins of the game, the women in blue settled for long passes that led to shot attempts that were intercepted or caught by goalkeeper Alexandrea Gumalao. Defense subsequently led to offense for DLSU as they had multiple shots on target. As frustrations started to boil over for the Blue Eagles, the Green-and-White eased their way and had another chance at scoring in extra time but was denied by ADMU goalie Adrielle Lee, ending the first half in favor of La Salle, 2-0.
Full throttle
Off halftime, the Lady Booters refrained from slamming the brakes on their built momentum. Instead, they went all out in the second half, applying maximum offensive pressure on the ADMU Blue Eagles and scoring three goals through Layacan in the 88th minute, Jumawan in the 74th, and Del Campo in the 74th. This marked Jumawan’s and Layacan’s second goals of the game—dominating the field for the Green-and-White as ADMU could not contain them.
Ateneo could not answer back in the remaining minutes of the game as La Salle ultimately opened Season 86 with a dominating 5-0 victory over their UAAP archrivals.
After the game ended, Head Coach Alvin Ocampo gave gratitude to the Lasallian community as they always make sure to show their support to the players, “Always, thank you for the support that all of you are giving us right now, and we invite you to watch our games.” He also revealed that the DLSU Lady Booters look to keep their “motivation to redeem themselves” way of thinking for the rest of the season as they aim to vie for another spot in the Final Four.
The Taft-based team has high hopes to maintain their newly built momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against the UP Fighting Maroons on March 2 at 6:30 pm at the same venue.
