The DLSU Green Booters stood firm against the UST Growling Tigers, with Lucas Aguilar’s lone strike sealing a hard-fought victory.
After a jaw-dropping, massacre-like opening display, the DLSU Green Booters leashed the UST Growling Tigers with a 1-0 victory in their UAAP Season 89 Men’s Football Tournament earlier today, November 12, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Lucas Aguilar shut the door on the rising-threat UST Growling Tigers’ bid for a consecutive Round 2 victory, as he pulled away early in the second half, breaking the deadlock with a thrilling goal.
Tactical tug-of-war
The Taft-based squad opened the game with goal attempts as La Salle snagged the first possession, while the Growling Tigers mounted an impenetrable wall. Similarly, the men in green showed the same defensive prowess, sparking fouls against the yellow-clad offenders. Following the tactical maneuvers, the initial minutes of the first half unfolded into a tense stalemate, delivering a nail-biting battle between two football powerhouses among the Final Four. Knowing one misstep spelt the difference, the Tigers jostled to capitalize on La Salle’s failures. Green Booter Ryne Doromal and Uriel Dalapo’s goal-producing combination succumbed to Jan Baito in the 10th minute. Another green lapse saw Joaquin Collo pierce the opposition’s defensive line, but no teammate was positioned to receive the ball.
Echoing the same intensity, DLSU fought relentlessly to deny the Tigers any foothold. UST had a Richard Songalia-John Selarde connection, yet failed to get a grip in the 18th minute. After Dalapo tackled Baito in an aggressive attempt to win the ball, the referees called a foul. Despite the physicality, Isaiah Teruel combined with Aguilar, who found James Paul Sibla, only for him to pass the responsibility to John Gaverza, positioned at the top of the box. Yet, the Green Booters were reminded once again of the top-caliber Growling Tigers defense in the 35th minute.
In a nerve-racking Lasallian combination, every fan was on the edge of their seats as the passionate Aguilar attempted a supposed redemption from a futile goal, rousing the Green-and-White faithful into deafening cheers in the 36th minute, but the glee was cut short after the goal was disallowed due to an offside violation. The first half ended as UST’s Songalia snagged the final ball opportunity in the 43rd minute, launching a desperate long-range shot that the Animo goalkeeper stopped. This left the second half to decide whose roar would echo louder across the pitch.
All growl, no bite
Following a contested first half, UST eventually turned over to the rejuvenated Green Booters squad. Up to this point, La Salle had moved the ball effectively and created several scoring opportunities but struggled to convert them into goals. Just outside the box, Collo found Doromal for a long-range attempt, but the shot missed the mark and went out of bounds. Three minutes later, Collo redeemed himself with another playmaking opportunity, weaving through the Growling Tigers’ defense before finding an open Aguilar on the left side of the box. Aguilar struck the goal, putting the Green Booters ahead 1-0. Looking to respond, Joshua Balliner and Songalia spearheaded UST’s attacks down the left flank in search of an equalizer. However, the Lasallian defense thwarted their attempts, with Iñigo Castro effectively anchoring the box throughout the game. After both sides traded possessions, Songalia sprinted down the field, weaving through the Lasallian defense, placing himself in prime position to equalize as his shot sailed wide. On the other end, Collo again orchestrated the offense, sending it to Dalapo on the right flank, who then sent the ball to Aguilar, but the latter could not capitalize on the opportunity.
For the next 10 minutes, both sides traded possessions and missed scoring chances, with neither team able to establish a clear advantage. In the 81st minute, Doromal had to be stretchered off the field, with Adrian Bacolod taking his place, while Lucas Andan replaced Neil Estampador. Five minutes later, UST’s Daniel Cagaanan attacked the left side, sending a pass to Novie Paraiso, only for the resilient Lasallian defense to deny it. As the game entered stoppage time, UST intensified its search for an equalizer. From the left wing, Paraiso sent another pass into the box, but Castro once again denied the opportunity. In the 94th minute, team captain Frank Labayen made a crucial tackle on the right flank, setting off another scramble inside the box that ultimately ended in the hands of the ever-reliable Castro, whose intervention sealed La Salle’s crucial victory over the Growling Tigers and earned him Player of the Game honors.
With this win, DLSU pulls ahead of UST in the rankings after the two sides entered the match tied, placing the Green Booters in prime position to secure a twice-to-beat advantage as the tournament approaches the Final Four.
After starting Round 2 with a perfect record, the Green Booters steady their bows’ aim at the ADMU Blue Eagles’ wings on Sunday, November 15, at 4:30 pm at the same venue.