The skies remained dark as Final Four hopes vanished for the DLSU Green Booters after enduring a grief-stricken loss against the AdU Soaring Falcons, 2-1, earlier today, November 28, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Alonso Aguilar scored a goal at the 25’ mark, fortifying DLSU’s only goal for the match. Meanwhile, Christian Hayahay and Keivenn Banagodos worked out the victory for AdU at the 73’ and 90+2’ mark, respectively.
First strike advantage
The pursuit for the Final Four remains challenging as the DLSU Green Booters stay firm following their 5-2 loss against the FEU Tamaraws. Coach Alvin Ocampo implemented a stark formula, placing Frank Labayen into midfield to solve the Green-and-White’s faux pas from their earlier matches.
The Green Booters exhibit rigid defense as goalkeeper and Team Captain Enrico Mangaoang returned to the field after a sidelined match, only to misfire a six-yard clearance to Adamson’s penalty box. Despite the minor slip-up, the Taft squad were eager to lead the match with Paolo Go charging for a long inswinger that landed far off the net.
Sparking the Green Booters’ grit for a goal was Labayen, holding off Mark Christian Ricario in his third midfield appearance. At the 20th minute, an opening arose for the Green-and-White with a header from Labayen that missed the back of the net.
La Salle kept their foot on the gas, keen to outmaneuver the rising aggression as Gabe Suarez struck meters from the touchline, allowing an easy finish to Alonso Aguilar from his cross-volley pass to strike the net at the 25’ mark, 1-0.
DLSU’s goal sparked the Soaring Falcons to press La Salle’s defense, putting Mangaoang in a tough spot as he saved Carl Franz Mahinay’s attempt despite limited space. With two minutes of added time draining fast, the odds remain favorable to the Green Booters despite Robby Cruel’s yellow card, entering halftime with a single-goal advantage, 1-0.
Clawed by the Falcons
The opening exchanges of the second half saw combat from both sides, with the Adamsonians determined to make life difficult for the Lasallians. The former set the aggressive tone for the second half after bombarding the DLSU backline with multiple early crosses towards the penalty area. The Soaring Falcons created an opening in the 52’ mark after a cross was played in without any interception from the Green Booters, but the ball rolled wide of the net. La Salle found it harder to keep sustained possession due to the higher pressing of their opponents.
Seeing his team second best to the duels, defender-turned-midfielder Labayen imposed his physicality for the Green-and-White, constantly winning back possession and fouls. However, his efforts were matched by the Adamsonian midfield, who bypassed the disorganized Lasallian press. In the 63rd minute, Adamson had a chance through a free kick at the edge of the penalty area, yet Ricario’s shot flew inches over the DLSU net. Just five minutes later, the Soaring Falcons created another opening when a cutback pass was played across the face of the DLSU net, but there was no one to tap it in.
After intense probing, Adamson finally found their equalizer at the 73’ mark through Hayahay, who towered above the La Salle defenders during a corner kick to header the ball into the back of the net, 1-all. With momentum now on their side, the blue shirts aggressively searched for the go-ahead goal. On the other hand, the stunned Green Booters were unable to adjust to the second half surge of their opponents.
In the 83rd minute, the Lasallians saw a sudden chance to score after miscommunication from the Adamson defense. Vin Dela Cruz found himself one-on-one with Adamson’s goalkeeper, Christian Lauron. However, Dela Cruz drove his shot just wide of the net, missing a golden opportunity to steal the lead back.
With time running out for both teams, the Soaring Falcons were able to win a corner at the last stages of the game. In deja-vu fashion, the Adamsonians took advantage of a corner kick in the 90+2’ mark, taking the lead through Banagodos’ header that none of the La Salle defenders anticipated, 2-1. The referee blew for full time shortly after, handing Adamson their second win of the season and ending DLSU’s Final Four ambitions.
Following this heartbreaking loss, the DLSU Green Booters relinquished their chances at a podium finish. To conclude their UAAP season on a high note, they will take on the UP Fighting Maroons in a non-bearing match on Sunday, December 1, at 4 pm at the same venue.
