The DLSU Green Booters were dealt a devastating blow by defending champions FEU Tamaraws, 3-1, in their last Round One match of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Football Tournament earlier today, October 19, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Lucas Aguilar scored the lone goal for the Green-and-White at the 43rd minute to give the Lasallians hope. However, Selwyn Mamon’s early goals at the 29th and 33rd minute with Theo Libarnes’ winning goal at the 64’ mark erased any chance of a comeback.
Pressure on
The match opened with an equal rush of energy; both the Green Booters and defending champions Tamaraws were eager to gain possession early. The Morayta-based squad patiently sought to break through La Salle’s defensive line. Karl Absalom attempted to orchestrate an early breakthrough, setting up Selwin Mamon for a shot on a tally, but the effort was not enough to overcome DLSU. The green shirts’ goalkeeper Edcel Lauron put composure intact to guard the net from the deceiving long throws and setup passes from the brave Tamaraws.
By the 25th minute, FEU’s midfield maneuvering translated into sustained pressure that the Green Booters struggled to read, eventually earning a dangerous corner opportunity. From Kian Niu’s delivery, Mamon soared unchallenged to nod home a precise header, putting La Salle behind, 1-0.
The Tamaraws continued to dictate play by fluidly interchanging positions and keeping La Salle’s defenders on their heels. Rustel Buenafe eventually set up Mamon with a curling cross for another conversion, as the Green-and-White now trailed behind FEU’s 2-0 cushion.
Even with the Tamaraws’ dominance in possession and tackles, DLSU refused to fold. Moments before halftime, the Green Booters found a lifeline as Alonso Aguilar slotted a lone subbed goal past the keeper from a Niel Estampador assist, trimming the deficit to one, 2-1. A final opportunity to equalize slipped away after Mel Baylon conceded a foul that La Salle failed to capitalize on, closing an intense first half with Morayta-based squad narrowly ahead, 2-1.
Tough blow
Trailing by just a goal at the break, the Green Booters showed intent early in the second half to find an equalizer, forcing the FEU defense into action with John Marlou Gaverza’s cross. La Salle continued to apply pressure to the defending champions’ backline, but the yellow shirts were calmly playing from the back to break down DLSU’s defensive formation. The Tamaraws’ pinpoint passing allowed them to reach the final third, but Frank Labayen and Adrian Bacolod’s solid defending on their left wing nullified FEU’s attack.
Even with the Green-and-White’s gritty defensive stand, the Diliman-based squad’s persistence in creating chances eventually bore fruit in the 64th minute. Libarnes delivered an acrobatic overhead kick from an Ace Amita cross to extend FEU’s lead to two, 3-1. La Salle responded with improved attacking fluidity after the goal, feeding Aguilar in his favored spots to allow their striker to make runs into the box. With the FEU defense focused on Aguilar, Gaverza was left open to shoot inside the box. However, the rookie’s attempts were saved by substitute goalkeeper Quintin Sanchez.
Even with La Salle’s chances against the run of play, FEU remained in control of the game. The Tamaraws continued their aggression, but they were unable to add to their lead as DLSU cut off their passing lanes. The Green Booters remained steadfast in their high press to force errors from the FEU backline, but time ran out for the Lasallians as the referee blew the final whistle before they could manufacture another goal, 3-1.
In a post-game interview, Coach Carl Amisola evaluated the Green Booters’ performance as somewhat lacking, admitting that the team could have executed better, particularly in the finishing aspect. When asked about the positive takeaways from the match, he shared, “Ang positive namin for today’s game is that pinalaro namin yung mga subs namin, and they actually performed.” Aguilar’s impact off the bench after converting the Green Booters’ sole goal not only gave the team a needed spark but also showed how the substitutes are ready to step up and play a crucial role in reigniting the game’s momentum.
(The positive takeaway from today’s game is that we let the substitutes play, and they actually performed.)
Coach Amisola emphasized that preparation for the second round will rely heavily on mindset regrouping. “Mindset talaga ang medyo pinoproblema namin kasi sa training grounds maganda naman ‘yung program at maganda ‘yung system. It’s just that sometimes, ‘yung players’ character and attitude medyo lumilihis lang sa system,” he thoughtfully explained. The team’s mental cohesion plausibly contributed to today’s loss, but there remains room for improvement, particularly in executing their planned system and converting it to wins.
(Our main issue lies in mindset because during training, the program and system are solid. It’s just that sometimes, the players’ character and attitude tend not to stay in line with the system.)
The Green Booters now stand at 2-2-2 with eight points in their campaign after this loss. They now await the schedule of Round Two of the Men’s Football Tournament as they continue their push for a return to the Final Four.
