The DLSU Lady Booters ended their winning streak as they faltered to the FEU Tamaraws, 3-1, in a UAAP Season 86 Finals preview during their second-round matchup earlier tonight, April 27, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Shai Del Campo got on the scoresheet as the lone scorer for DLSU, while Althea Rebosura, Erma Balacua, and Dionesia Tolentin made up the trifecta of goal scorers for FEU.
Action-packed
As expected from the two tournament finalists, both teams started the match strong, with players playing physical defense and hustling for possible scoring opportunities. FEU drew first blood, with Rebosura running the field to a great chance inside La Salle’s box but could not finish the job as DLSU goalkeeper Alex Gumilao smothered the ball. The Lady Booters continued to play outstanding defense, further highlighted by Maye Mendaño’s incredible sliding tackle in the seventh minute that won her team the possession.
With the offensive momentum on their side, the FEU Tamaraws continued to press the action, hoping to crack the impenetrable DLSU defense. As the minutes ticked by, the Tamaraws became frustrated, evidenced by ill-advised shots that strayed way off target in the 19th and 22nd minutes. After another shot that stayed on target this time, La Salle finally saw a chance to capitalize, launching a counterattack that paid off as Del Campo blasted the back of the net for the goal in the 25th minute to give DLSU a 1-0 lead.
Not to be deterred, the Tamaraws did not stray from playing aggressively, looking eagerly to equalize. This strategy immediately played off as Sara Tulabing penetrated La Salle’s box deep and won a penalty, which Balacua calmly converted, tying the game 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
With a checkmate on the scoreboard, both teams scrambled to look for their second goal, neither side deciding to play it safe. Del Campo once again threatened to put the ball behind the line, but FEU recognized the danger and immediately swarmed her with four players. Lyka Teves got close with a header shot off a corner kick, but FEU goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria was there for the save. After a few more possessions, the Tamaraws got the last word in, as they pounced on a momentary lapse in La Salle’s defense with an easy tap-in goal by Rebosura, giving FEU the 2-1 lead coming into the second half.
Hopes dwindling
The second half of the Finals preview picked up where it left off as both sides immediately strung passes together to get to the opposition box. Five minutes into the half, the Lady Booters saw the gap widen as FEU’s Tolentin got into the right side of the box and put it past Gumilao’s near post, 3-1. With a two-goal lead to catch, the Green-and-White found themselves trying to hang on and limit the lead as the Lady Tamaraws constantly found gaps in the defense to keep Gumilao busy in La Salle’s goalposts.
With Gumilao putting in a good shift after FEU’s third goal, La Salle’s offense started to put some pressure on their opponents. DLSU’s premier threat, Teves, forced Elauria into a full-stretch save as her shot on target from outside the box gave them their first corner of the night. Inspired by Teves’ chance, Annicka Castañeda tested her accuracy from long range in the 69th minute but saw her shot go above the goalposts. La Salle would not find more room to build momentum as FEU immediately answered back with a chance to build the lead but went over the bar to La Salle’s relief.
The Lady Booters maintained their resilience as they continued to search for another goal, but the Lady Tamaraws continued to find ways to keep Gumilao busy. With the clock running down, the Taft-based squad rallied behind Castañeda and Mendaño’s attempts, but both were off target. Time eventually ran out for the Lady Booters as they remained two goals down at the final whistle, 3-1.
Battled and given their second loss of the season from the same opponent, the Lady Booters will be looking to regroup before they face the UP Fighting Maroons on May 4 at 6:30 pm at the same venue before plotting revenge against the Lady Tamaraws in the Finals.
