The DLSU Green Booters dropped their first game of Season 88 after a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to the UST Growling Tigers earlier tonight, September 21, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub Field.
First-half goals from UST’s striker Richard Songalia and Team Captain Kyler Escobar, at the 15’ and 42’ mark, respectively, proved to be too much for the Green Booters, as they ultimately fell short of a comeback attempt despite a Sam Alegre goal at the 83’ mark.
On the back foot
Looking to hit the ground running early, both teams came out aggressively as momentum switched sides in the first ten minutes. However, the Growling Tigers found the breakthrough in the 15th minute after UST striker Richard Songalia struck a stunner from outside the box that La Salle goalie Edcel Lauron was unable to reach, giving his side a 1-0 advantage.
The Green Booters nearly had an immediate equalizer in the 18th minute when winger James Sibla scored on a one-on-one but was called offside. The Green-and-White held a larger percentage of possession for the next thirty minutes; however, they were unable to create any direct chances on goal. La Salle also relied on rookie right back Bacchus Ekberg’s long passes into the box for their attack.
The Growling Tigers cemented their hold in the 42nd minute after a well-executed counterattack wherein a through ball from Kent Dela Pena found Escobar, who slotted it in to double UST’s lead. Unable to muster a response in the dying moments of the first half, the Green Booters went into the halftime break down 2-0.
Amping up the pressure
In hopes of mounting a comeback after a disastrous first half, the Green-and-White tweaked their tactics, bringing in Adrian Bacolod for Sebastian Fronda, as Ekberg advanced up the pitch at the wing. With the tactical change, the green shirts increased the intensity of their press to force the UST forwards to commit errors. In the 48th minute, Ekberg would play it to John Gaverza for a cross, only to be met by the safe hands of Mark Daig.
Facing a two-goal deficit, the Lasallians found themselves determined as they advanced into the final third on multiple occasions. Jose Castrillo would get off a shot attempt but was easily saved by Daig in the 55th minute. The Taft-based squad created another scoring opportunity as Bacolod sent a trivela pass to James Sibla, yet their attempt caused contact with Daig, leading to a foul on the midfielder.
Despite La Salle’s increased pressure and possession, the Growling Tigers continued to threaten through dangerous attacking positions. In the 78th minute, they were rewarded with a penalty after a handball by Prince Reyes. However, Edcel Lauron came up big, saving Songalia’s attempt from the spot and denying him a brace. With momentum shifting in DLSU’s favor, Aguilar would send a cross to Sibla at the 83’ mark, deflecting off Alegre and into the back of the net for a goal, 2-1, to finally cement La Salle on the scoreboard.
With four minutes added onto the clock, the Green Booters pushed for an equalizer but struggled to break through the Thomasian defense. Aguilar’s attempt to advance was quickly dashed, while a Bacolod-Ekberg attempt was met by a defender. In a crucial attacking moment, Aguilar was caught offside, and a miscommunication between Labayen and Lauron on a UST long ball nearly resulted in another costly error.
The Green Booters will look to bounce back and tally their first victory of the season when they face the UE Red Warriors on Thursday, September 25, at the same venue.
