The DLSU Green Booters rallied from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-all draw against the AdU Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday, October 18, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Jemar Andrade and Fritz Chua struck early for Adamson, giving the blue shirts a 2-0 advantage. In response, John Gaverza kept La Salle afloat with a 39th-minute goal before Lucas Aguilar completed the comeback in the 58th minute, finding the equalizer to bring the Taft-based squad level with the Falcons. Despite their second-half push, neither side was able to find a decisive goal, settling for a draw and a share of the points.
Hectic battlefield
Igniting the Taft-based squad’s battle, the Green Booters started the first half trading early blows with the Falcons. Following a deadlock in the first five minutes, the Lasallian backline was left behind as Adamson’s Andrade drilled the ball past the goalkeeper in the sixth minute. With intensity heating up on the pitch, both teams engaged in a gritty clash for possession. As DLSU powered aggressively, AdU continued to apply pressure, denying them any legroom. Just moments later, the Green-and-White were caught off guard once more as Chua fired another goal, putting La Salle in a 2-0 hole.
In search of a breakthrough for the Green Booters, James Sibla launched a shot toward the goal, but it was quickly intercepted by the Falcons. As the half progressed, unforced errors and a resilient Adamson defense frustrated the Green-and-White, with numerous shots on target and aggressive attacks repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Jed Lauron. After a prolonged scoring drought, Gaverza and Sibla finally broke through the wall of Ermita, putting La Salle on the board. Gaining crucial momentum before the break, the Green-and-White trimmed the deficit to 2-1.
Clawing back
With greater attacking chances after the restart, the Green Booters sought to overturn the deficit against the gritty Falcons. Adamson threatened early with several attempts on goal, but the Green-and-White tightened its defensive shape to contain the Falcons’ forward runs. Goalkeeper Cesar Castro read the opposition’s buildup well, intercepting a pass from Prince Baculot to disrupt the attack. At the other end, the Green Booters worked to progress the ball into the final third, but Adamson’s backline held firm, blocking attempts from Gaverza, Uriel Dalapo, and Aguilar. La Salle’s pressure eventually paid off in the 58th minute, when Aguilar struck from distance to find the equalizer and level the score at 2-all. The goal gave the Taft-based squad renewed momentum, sparking a frantic end-to-end exchange of missed opportunities. Both sides traded defensive stops, with Castro making crucial close-range saves against Chua and Marlon Dasig to preserve the tie.
As the match entered its closing stages, the Soaring Falcons continued to funnel their attacks through Danny Golike in search of a go-ahead goal. However, La Salle’s defensive unit maintained its shape, closing down passing lanes and limiting the forward’s space on the ball. Adamson threatened again from a corner in the 87th minute, but Castro made another save to preserve the deadlock. The Green Booters pushed for a late winner of their own, with Lance Locsin sending an attempt wide in the 89th minute. Adrian Aparilla and Locsin then applied pressure on Golike, forcing Adamson to surrender possession as both sides searched for a decisive breakthrough. Neither team could find a winner, however, as the final whistle confirmed a 2-all draw.
The Green Booters look to maintain their flawless record as they look to rewrite their Season 88 heartbreak against defending champions UP Fighting Maroons on Thursday, October 22, at 4:30 pm at the same venue.