Green Booters absorb first defeat at the hands of UP
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters took their first loss of UAAP Season 86 at the hands of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 1–3, earlier today at the UP Diliman Football Pitch. Isaac Anoh drew first blood in the eighth minute, however, strikes from Vincent Parpan, Ramil Bation, and Orlan Togores secured UP the two-goal triumph.
UP kicked off on their home turf and immediately put the aggression on La Salle’s backline, with Ico Mangaoang having to face a handful of chance balls in the opening ten minutes. The national team keeper’s efforts wouldn’t all be for nothing, though, as Christian Peñalosa delivered a perfect through ball for Anoh to convert a distance curler from the left wing that granted DLSU a 1–0 lead after eight.
The Fighting Maroons answered back three minutes later with an equalizer inside the 12-yard box after just barely getting the ball past Mangaoang’s grasp for a second chance. UP controlled the attacking plays towards the middle of the half with constant pressure being placed on Robby Cruel’s side of the pitch, yet the Lasallian fullback held his ground and disallowed the opposing wingers to strike.
The Green Booters earned another close call in the 27th minute after Carlos Lozano played a long ball from the halfway line towards Anoh’s direction, with the forward only seconds late to another potential goal. Both teams remained level at 1–1 come halftime with UP dominating possession and attack while La Salle’s defensive unit showcased the performance of a lifetime to keep the Maroons at bay.
The second half began the same way the first ended, with UP heavy on the attack while DLSU was left to put up a strong defense. Rookie Adam Abela was put in the spotlight after making not one, but two acrobatic clearances that prevent potentially dangerous counterattacks from coming into fruition. La Salle was shut down to their side of the pitch on nine out of ten chances to push forward, but the impeccable defending on display from Mangaoang followed by Mo Almohjili’s perseverance in chasing down every live ball always left a glimmer of hope.
UP’s relentlessness for 66 straight minutes was rewarded with two quick goals in the 77th and 79th, the first coming off a distance free kick and the second being a chance attempt from mid-range into DLSU’s empty goal. The Fighting Maroons’ press-focused game plan and build-up proved to be superior this time around, with the Green Booters claiming their first defeat of the season, 1–3.
The Green Booters will aim to bounce back as they face off against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Thursday, March 7, 4 PM, at the same venue.
