Green Booters launch UAAP S87 with a tense draw against UE
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters opened their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 journey with a hard-fought draw against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 1–1, earlier today at the University of the Philippines (UP) Football Field.
To kick off the match, both teams displayed impressive defensive prowess in their battle for possession. At the 4:50 mark, La Salle was awarded a free kick, expertly taken by Shaun Tong, but the Red Warriors’ defense remained resolute in shutting down the Green Booters’ attempt. UE’s Eldrin Madrid stood out with his defensive efforts, continuously disrupting La Salle’s offensive and defensive formations. Despite this, the Taft-based squad maintained their dominance, pushing forward in search of their first goal of the season. Captain Enrico Mangaoang also showed great determination near the net, and at 15:50, John Nicoh Sumanoy came close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful shot before it narrowly sailed over the crossbar. As La Salle continued to press for their opening goal minutes later, Nicko Yen Cloma showcased his goalkeeping skills, making a crucial save to deny the Green Booters their first point.
In the 28th minute, Alonso Aguilar also attempted a long-range shot for a goal, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar. A few minutes later, Red Warriors John Marvin Murados and John Bernard Magallon tested the Green Booters’ defense this time but the boys in green held their ground, determined not to concede the first goal to UE. After a series of intense exchanges between the two teams, in the 38th minute, Sumanoy tried a long-shot attempt, only for it to strike the goalpost. With 41:10 on the clock, Alonso Aguilar and Luis Enrique Vecin combined for another attempt, but Cloma made another crucial save to keep the game scoreless. As the clock wound down, with 3 minutes of added time, Magallon launched a goal kick that veered into the corner. The defensive prowess of both teams continued to shine as they battled fiercely for the first goal. Finally, with 45 minutes and 3:53 of stoppage time elapsed, Mark Rainier Maghinay broke the deadlock for UE, scoring the first goal just before halftime, 0–1.
In the early moments of halftime, Adrian Bacolod also took a powerful shot from long range, but his attempt was too strong and sailed over the net. As the Green Booters sought to find their rhythm, Cloma’s defense still proved formidable, successfully fending off several attempts and keeping the scoreline unchanged for the boys in Green well into the 55th minute. With both teams trading possession and putting their defensive skills to the test, La Salle struggled to break the deadlock, and both remained scoreless as the clock ticked past 73:30. However, the Red Warriors intensified their offensive pressure, challenging La Salle’s defense even more. Then, at the 80:35 mark, Gabriel Suarez III delivered a decisive strike for the Green Booters, leveling the score at 1-all and dramatically shifting the momentum of the game.
In the final moments of the match, with a second goal still sought after, an additional 6 minutes was added to the clock. The Green Booters, striving to put pressure on the Red Warriors, engaged in a fierce display of defensive prowess. And as the clock ticked down, no more goals were earned and the match ended in a 1–1 draw between the Green Booters and the Red Warriors.
Come support the DLSU Green Booters as they aim to secure their first win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on October 3, 7:00 PM, at the same venue.
