The DLSU Green Booters were unable to secure back-to-back victories in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Football Tournament against the ADMU Blue Eagles, 4-0, in their rivalry matchup earlier tonight, November 14, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Despite their best efforts, the Green Booters were unable to secure a goal, leaving them scoreless at full time. Joaquin Collo was hailed as the man of the match with his opening goal, while Dov Cariño scored twice in the first half, and Fernando Roxas contributed goals of his own to seal the victory.
Patience in play
Following the DLSU Green Booters’ dominant win over the UE Red Warriors, the Taft-based team finally faced their longstanding rivals, the ADMU Blue Eagles. The Green-and-White was immediately challenged by Cariño’s early attempt to score, but Team Captain Enrico Mangoang successfully denied the goal. In an effort to create an opportunity for La Salle, Gabe Suarez slid into the Blue Eagles’ penalty area as the midfielders held their ground against ADMU’s relentless aggressions. Ateneo goalkeeper Artuz Cezar thwarted Suarez’s goal attempt as he caught the ball in an impressive save.
At the 10’ mark, Alonso Aguilar made an opening for Adam Abela. However, the Green-and-White was driven back by Leo Maquiling, prompting La Salle to play defensively. DLSU took advantage of their defense and corner kick opportunities, but ADMU displaced the Green Booters from their attempts, leading to Miguel Bengson’s layoff pass to Collo, who gave the Blue Eagles the lead in the 16th minute, 1-0.
After the opening goal, La Salle stifled ADMU’s offensive plays as the Blue Eagles struggled to cross the Green Booters’ defense line. Aguilar battled for possession in midfield, aiming to create scoring chances, but was overwhelmed and forced to retreat. Within the 36th minute, Mangaoang failed to close down Macquiling, who charged into the box and passed to Cariño, making a clean strike, 2-0.
As the first half of the match was drawing to a close, DLSU maintained a cautious approach in attack while staying resolute in defense. The Green Booters’ backline remained firm, denying any significant attempts from ADMU as the clock ticked down. With just three minutes left in the first half, Frank Labayen was dispossessed by Bengson, who swiftly passed the ball to Cariño. Without hesitation, Cariño fired a powerful strike toward the goal, sending the ball into the net for the second time to close the first half in dominant fashion, 3-0.
Atenean control
Despite the halftime break, the Green Booters were unable to stop the momentum of the Blue Eagles, who carried their aggressive attacks and ironclad defense into the second half. At the forefront of Ateneo’s plays was Cariño, who continued to create issues for the La Salle defenders with his dynamic and agile dribbling. In the 55th minute, the blue shirts created an opening through a combination play that saw Bengson take a shot from close range. However, Mangaoang was able to deflect the effort wide to safety. Not long after, DLSU suffered a blow to their lineup as attacker Paolo Go picked up an injury that ended his evening early.
Despite already holding a comfortable lead, Ateneo continued to search for their fourth goal of the match to rub salt into the Lasallian wound. At the 60’ mark, another chance fell to the Blue Eagles after a miscommunication in the Green Booters’ defense, but Abela was able to clear the ball just before it rolled into the net. La Salle was able to tally their first shot on target in the 64th minute when Suarez tried his luck from distance, but the shot was easily gathered by Atenean goalkeeper Cezar. Not long after, at the 69’ mark, another chance was created for DLSU when the Ateneo defenders failed to clear a cross from the Green-and-White. However, no green shirt was able to make contact with the delivery, which was eventually cleared away.
The Green Booters remained second-best in the midfield duels, which were constantly won by the Blue Eagles due to their physical strength all around the field. The Ateneans also kept possession of the ball for large spells around the 75th minute, tiring out the Lasallians. The DLSU Green Booters were left deflated due to the steep scoreline with little time left. Ateneo, sensing La Salle’s tiredness, pressed even harder for a fourth goal. In the 87th minute, Roxas found himself with time and space close to the DLSU net. A well-taken finish saw the scoreline increase for the Blue Eagles before the referee blew his whistle for full time, 4-0.
With three matches remaining in Round Two, the DLSU Green Booters will aim to recover from this tough loss on Sunday, November 17, against the UP Fighting Maroons at 4 pm at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
