The DLSU Green Booters surrendered their early advantage, succumbing to the UST Growling Tigers’ second-half burst, 2-1, in their UAAP Season 87 Men’s Football Round Two matchup earlier today, November 3, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Gabe Suarez opened the scoring in the 21st minute by chipping the ball over Jose Abada to give the Green Booters an early lead. However, Jarred Regis and Rennan Ballespin struck back for UST, scoring at the 47’ and 87’ marks, respectively.
Promising starting half
La Salle looked to steal the top four spot from the Growling Tigers, showing aggression from the kickoff. However, their aggression was countered by UST as DLSU goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang was called for an early save at the 6’ mark. This wake-up call pushed the Green Booters to attack the white shirts and get to the final third. UST found trouble coping with the Green-and-White’s aggressive display as they imposed a physical defensive showing to halt the Lasallians’ momentum, giving the green shirts free kicks to organize a set piece.
At the 21’ mark, La Salle was given a free kick after Jose Castrillo was fouled near the halfway line. Carlos Andan whipped the ball inside the box with Suarez on the receiving end to open the scoring in the game in favor of the Green Booters, 1-0. Looking to double the advantage, DLSU kept pushing as their forwards were able to bring alarms to the UST defensive line.
After the cooling break at the 27th minute, UST took control of the game. The Thomasian forwards were able to break down the Lasallian lines but were unable to hit the mark past Mangaoang. Kyler Escobas came close to equalizing at the 37th minute with a chip over Mangaoang that hit the post, allowing La Salle to maintain the lead. As the first half came to a close, the Green Booters remained stable in their defensive duties, clearing the ball away from the goal as the whistle signaled halftime to their advantage, 1-0.
Losing control
The Green Booters looked to replicate their early first-half start in hopes of tallying another win. However, they were left stunned by Regis’s run into their box as the UST defender put the ball into the net to equalize the game at the 47’ mark, 1-all. Struggling to handle UST’s renewed form, the Lasallians dug deep into their defensive tactics to hold the scoreline. At the 54th minute, Suarez found Adam Abela in the final third with a chance to regain the lead. However, Abela’s curling shot was barely saved by Abada’s fingertips, keeping the game tied still.
The Green Booters then looked to Mangaoang’s long passes to create chances, with one of his free kicks worrying the opposing goalkeeper for a potential goal for La Salle. Despite Alonso Aguillar’s pressure on the UST backline, the Growling Tigers were able to wiggle around the Lasallian press to force the DLSU defenders to respond with their advances.
The Green Booters put together passes to create chances after a corner kick in the 81st minute, but they were unable to break the deadlock. As the clock wound down, both teams engaged in a midfield battle to take control of possession and another attempt at the goalpost. But in the 87th minute, the DLSU defense was left vulnerable, allowing Ballespin to win a late goal, 2-1. Despite their attempts to penetrate the UST box for another goal in the closing moments, La Salle found difficulty in creating another opportunity before the final whistle blew in favor of the Growling Tigers, 2-1.
After this loss, the Green Booters fell to a 2-1-4 record, widening the gap between them and the Growling Tigers for a Final Four spot. They will look to regroup and continue their crusade for a semifinal berth when they take on the UE Red Warriors next Sunday, November 3, at 7 pm at the same venue.
