Despite a red card and a first-half deficit, the DLSU Green Booters staged a thrilling 3-2 comeback over archrivals ADMU Blue Eagles to become the third squad to clinch a slot in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Football Tournament Final Four earlier tonight, November 15, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
John Gaverza spearheaded the Green-and-White’s crucial victory, along with Adam Aparilla and Lucas Aguilar in the 11th, 79th, and 90th minute, respectively, while Goalkeeper Iñigo Castro thwarted the opposition’s attempts to claim Player of the Match honors.
The Blue Eagles displayed a valiant effort with a first-half lead through goals from Diego Angeles and Team Captain Dov Cariño in the 12th and 38th minute.
All-action battle for a bid
Bitter rivals La Salle and Ateneo opened the first half with an intense, physical battle as the Green Booters looked to clinch their return to the Final Four while the Blue Eagles fought to remain in contention.
The white shirts immediately applied a high press from the opening kick-off, nearly leading to an early breakthrough when a through ball from Gaverza found James Sibla, only for ADMU Goalkeeper Juan Tansingco to make two crucial saves. The Katipunan-based side responded with crosses and long balls to penetrate the final third, but the Lasallians remained composed in dealing with the deliveries. The Green Booters amped up the physicality, prompting the referee to book Neil Estampador, a decision that would later prove significant.
The blue shirts found more success with their wing play and crossing, while the Green-and-White threatened on the counter through Gaverza and Uriel Dalapo. Their high pressing finally paid dividends as an interception led to Gaverza slotting the ball into the net off the post to put DLSU ahead in the 11th minute, 1-0.
However, the Lasallian elation was short-lived, as the Ateneans answered back right away as Ranzo Aljama sent a long cross from the left wing to Angeles, lobbing the ball over Castro to level the match, 1-all. The rivals’ threat persisted, but Team Captain Frank Labayen, back at the centre-back role, remained composed in clearing away chances.
The Booters suffered another setback in the 35th minute when Estampador picked up his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving DLSU with only 10 men. Despite this, they continued to push upfront, with Dalapo nearly finding an equalizer through a counterattack. La Salle’s numerical disadvantage proved costly when Ateneo exploited gaps in the defense as a long ball from the right flank found their skipper open in the 38’ mark to give Ateneo a 2-1 advantage.
La Salle refused to falter, bringing in Aguilar to reinforce their attack efforts and equalize. However, the Green Booters struggled to find clear openings while the depleted backline’s exposed spaces were increasingly exploited. The archrivals nearly extended their lead in stoppage time when Cariño crossed the ball to Angeles for a header, forcing a corner. Nonetheless, the Lasallians held on as they faced a difficult challenge heading into the second half.
Comeback against the odds
Despite trailing 2-1 entering the latter half and being down to 10 men, the Green Booters refused to back down against the Blue Eagles for an equalizer. DLSU immediately pushed forward, with Joaquin Collo and Aguilar attempting early shots; however, both efforts misfired and went wide. Meanwhile, Ateneo maintained its attacking pressure, forcing Castro to make several crucial saves, particularly against successive attempts from Andrei Gonzales. Although both squads recorded 15 shots, the Katipunan-based squad held the advantage in shots on target, keeping Castro busy between the posts.
The Green-and-White continued to create opportunities. Gaverza nearly curled one into the net in the 57th minute before Aguilar tested Tansingco three minutes later. After bringing in Argos Alingalan for Sibla in the 62nd minute, DLSU sustained its attacking efforts until Aguilar won a penalty after drawing a foul from defender Alexander Santos. Aparilla stepped up and converted from the spot in the 79th minute, finding the equalizer for the Lasallians.
With the match nearing its final minutes, Castro once again denied an Ateneo attempt in the 86th minute before Aguilar found the back of the net in the 90th minute, completing La Salle’s late comeback and sealing the 3-2 victory. Despite Ateneo’s advantage in shots on target, the Green Booters capitalized on their opportunities, with Castro earning Man of the Match honors for his crucial contributions between the posts.
After securing a final four spot, the DLSU Green Booters aim to extend their Round 2 winning streak against the AdU Soaring Falcons on Thursday, November 19, at 7 pm, at the same venue.