The DLSU Lady Booters passed their test of resolve, seeing out a narrow 1-0 victory and ending the FEU Lady Tamaraws’ perfect season in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament earlier tonight, October 28, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Player of the Match Elisha Lubiano delivered the breakthrough in the 16th minute, rising to meet a corner kick with the header that handed La Salle the lead.
The unexpected
With the final match of the regular season standing before them, both teams scrambled for possession, each driven by an enticing prize at the close. Defending champions Lady Tamaraws operated early in close quarters, intimidating the Lady Booters with a straight Finals ticket in mind should they emerge victorious. Early opportunities made through Jelan Pabuaya’s work on the left flank and incisive entries into the box suggested a promising night for the Morayta-based squad. Meanwhile, for a shorthanded Lady Booters squad chasing a Final Four format, the opening minutes were a slow drag of chasing balls, with the Tamaraws largely enjoying free rein in attack.
A wayward effort from Chenny Dañoso, seconds shy of the sixth minute, stood as the Green-and-White’s first offensive attempt. Still, FEU’s activity down the left flank remained visibly alive for a few minutes. In an unexpected turn at the 16-minute mark, however, the Green-and-White capitalized on their second corner kick of the match. Jodi Banzon set the play in motion before Lubiano rose to meet the delivery with a header, putting La Salle ahead, 1-0.
Faced with unfamiliar adversity, the Lady Tamaraws shifted into a higher gear, ghosting down the right flank and over the byline more frequently. Althea Rebosura made two more forays toward the Taft-based squad’s box, beating multiple markers before drawing the defensive coverage her incursions demanded from the Lasallians. Past the 25th minute, Kristine Dela Peña’s free kick sailed straight into the box but was only half-cleared. FEU followed with two successive corner kicks, both of which met waiting trouble at the sticks.
Near the end of the first half, La Salle stayed preoccupied with keeping the green and gold at bay. Judie Arevalo, in pursuit of her ninth goal of the season, eventually found space and linked up with Sarahgen Tulabing, whose attempt sailed wide of DLSU’s left post. The Tamaraws continued to carve out opportunities to equalize, but the white shirts’ growing presence on both sides of the ball allowed the Green-and-White to reclaim possession and keep their net untouched. Even through three additional minutes of stoppage time and a succession of FEU free kicks, La Salle held firm, sending the Tamaraws into the break trailing 1-0.
Hanging on
Fresh off the halftime break, the Lady Booters returned to the moon-lit pitch with a one-goal advantage courtesy of Lubiano’s 16th-minute header goal. With their season sweep and outright Finals berth on the line, the Lady Tamaraws looked to claw their way back into the match, but the Green-and-White stood firm in their defensive efforts.
The Taft-based squad sought to extend their lead early, with Dañoso threading a pass to Banzon in the 53rd minute, which was met by a clear-out punch by FEU goalkeeper Blaine Barredo. Pabuaya countered with another threatening chance just moments later, only for DLSU Goalkeeper Captain Jeka Pido to clear the ball and preserve her squad’s advantage.
The contest descended into chaos in the 54th minute, when the Morayta-based squad sent a free kick into the box, sparking a scramble in front of Pido, who eventually came up with the save. As FEU continued to apply pressure, DLSU tightened its defensive shape and remained compact, while Dañoso and Banzon searched for openings up front. Lubiano nearly doubled the Green-and-White’s lead in the 82nd minute, connecting with a corner kick from Banzon in a similar fashion to their earlier goal. However, the Lady Booters remained unable to find the insurance goal.
The Lady Booters were left with five minutes of stoppage time to protect their slim advantage as the Lady Tamaraws threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Tiffany Trinidad nearly spoiled DLSU’s lead in the 94th minute, sending a shot narrowly over the crossbar. Despite FEU recording 13 shots compared to La Salle’s four, the Green-and-White held their ground until the final whistle, making their lone goal count.
The DLSU Lady Booters finish their second round with a win and look to carry their momentum into the Final Four as they continue their campaign in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament.