Green Booters succumb to FEU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters (15 pts) were handed a hard loss against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters (25 pts) in their second-round matchup earlier today at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Football Stadium.
The Green Booters were faced with a tough challenge against FEU, where the Lasallians were able to hold out well in the first half by keeping it even. However, the defending champions showed a champion spirit and proved to be the better team in the matchup, scoring four goals in the second half.
The match with the defending champions from Morayta began with both teams gauging each other’s capabilities. Neither squad could create a chance to score, leaving the score even. The game got heated in the 8th minute, where two yellow cards were awarded to Isaac Anoh and FEU’s RJ Pescadera for a foul that almost caused an altercation between the two teams. From then on, La Salle and FEU exchanged possessions, struggling to generate anything until the Tamaraw Booters emerged with a golden chance from Selwyn Mamon to score a few minutes later. Despite the effort, goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang saved the strike to keep both teams scoreless.
FEU then decided to step on the gas to pressure the Lasallians, generating another chance in the 16th minute with Mamon getting past the Green Booters and kicking the ball from within the box. But Mangaoang once again saved the ball to keep DLSU tied with the defending champions. Refusing to let up, the squad from Taft answered back with a chance of their own on the four minutes later, but Anoh’s attack was stopped by the FEU defenders. The game remained at a standstill until the 35th minute when Anoh suddenly erupted for a volley. However, the strike went over the crossbar, missing the chance to take the lead. Two minutes later, the Green Booters kept their foot pressed on the gas, creating another chance with a pass from Carlos Lozano to Paolo Go, but the play was called offside as Go was too advanced forward.
As halftime drew near, FEU looked to score the match’s first goal with Mamon generating an attack that almost went in as he got past Mangaoang. But the strike hit the side-posts, keeping the score even at 0 a-piece. From then on, both teams exchanged plays, with FEU dominating on offense, pressing the attack. A crucial chance for Mamon then emerged once more during the 48th minute, but Mangaoang once again kept the game even as he set up a brick wall that denied FEU from scoring, keeping the score at 0-all.
After restrategizing during the halftime break, both squads ignited their flames and went at one another. La Salle immediately opened the second half with aggression, drawing a foul that led to a Christian Peñalosa free kick in the 49th minute. Despite his steady aim at the top left corner, Jetrick Fabrigas was able to save the strike with active hands to prevent a DLSU lead. The squad from Taft kept on pressuring the Tamaraws with their offense, where Mo Almohjili had a stellar chance to score from the right side. Despite the attempt, Fabrigas once again saved the attack to deny any scoring.
From then on, the defending champions responded with plays of their own, creating a play at the 56-minute marker which generated a strike that hit the crossbar, missing the back of the net. Looking to respond, John Paul Bengay created a through pass to Peñalosa a few minutes later, where the DLSU midfielder had an open look at the goal. However, the strike went above the crossbar. As the match got more heated, the Lasallians found themselves within striking distance once more with Anoh taking charge. But a hard foul by FEU’s Mel Anthony Baylon just outside the box was awarded a yellow card in the 64th minute. Because of the foul, DLSU was awarded a free kick, taken by Peñalosa, but the shot missed right of the top right corner of the goal post.
With momentum on their side, the Lasallians kept pressing on FEU. During the 66th minute, Go erupted with a run that gave him an open look at the goal, but Fabrigas once again stayed active and saved the strike to keep it even. Despite the pressure, the defending champions refused to give in as they decided to take the momentum from the Lasallians with their attacks. Suddenly, in the 71st minute, FEU found their groove and scored their first goal with a strike emerging from Mamon, taking the lead at 0–1.
From there, FEU kept pressuring DLSU, not allowing the squad from Taft to score. In the 80th minute, FEU exploded for a play that generated a chance at the corner. Despite the corner being saved and tapped outside, Karl Absalon suddenly volleyed the save and hit the back of the net, putting FEU up 0–2. Within minutes, FEU once again got a stellar opportunity with a pass from Martini Rey to Mamon, where Mamon’s attack once again found the back of the net to put the defending champions up 0–3.
Refusing to give up, Gabe Suarez drew a foul for DLSU in the 84th minute, giving them a penalty. However, as Anoh took the penalty, the shot went over the crossbar, missing the chance to put La Salle on the scoreboard. Immediately after the missed penalty attempt, Fabrigas, was given a yellow card for taunting the missed penalty. Despite the attempt from the Lasallians to bounce back, FEU once again generated a play that led to a goal from Viejay Frigilliano in the 88th minute, cementing the victory for FEU at 0–4.
Catch the Green Booters back in action on May 2, 6:30 PM as they fight for the last spot in the Final Four against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, at the same venue.
