Green Booters yield to UE
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters (15 pts) were handed a tough loss after yielding to the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors (7 pts) yesterday at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Football Stadium.
Despite an all-out effort from the Green Booters, the Lasallians were not able to outdo the prowess of the Red Warriors. Multiple controversial calls were made, giving the Lasallians a tough battle. UE also ended up handicapped, losing players to two red cards, but because of a stronger offensive and defensive presence, the Red Warriors came out on top against DLSU.
The first half started with an immediate threat from the Red Warriors’ offense, where Lasallian goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang was able to save a header from UE at the two-minute mark of the match. From then, both teams showed off their defensive presence as neither squad was able to create an opportunity. However, in the ninth minute, a free kick was awarded to DLSU with Christian Peñalosa taking charge. Despite the attempt, Peñalosa’s strike missed the mark and La Salle was not able to convert. In the 11th minute, UE was awarded a free kick of their own from a foul committed just outside the box, where Nikko Palacio from UE took charge. With the ball placed in striking distance, he aimed straight at the goal and scored a decisive free kick to take the lead against La Salle, 0–1.
From then on, the Red Warrior pressed on the squad from Taft, pressuring their defense and suffocating their offense. Despite the challenge, the Lasallians refused to let up and later gained a huge opportunity to score from a hard foul during the 24th minute, giving them a free kick just outside the box. Peñalosa attempted to draw a play for a header, but the free kick missed the mark, leaving them down 0–1.
Two minutes later, the Lasallians pressed the attack where Isaac Anoh dribbled his way into the box, but ultimately missed the shot. Immediately after the play, the Red Warriors decided to up their game, creating two straight opportunities, but Mangaoang set up an indomitable Lasallian wall, saving two consecutive strikes to keep the score as is. Looking to even things up, La Salle stepped on the gas pedal, creating a clear chance to score during the 32nd minute. However, Chrisjan Tambilawan, UE’s goalkeeper, tackled Peñalosa who had a clear chance to score outside of the box, awarding the former a red card.
Following this, Joniel James Pamati-an came in to replace Tambilawan as the goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Peñalosa took the free kick awarded from the UE foul but missed the mark again as UE held a steady defense. As DLSU continued to step on the gas pedal, a hard foul was suddenly committed by Joshua Macaraig, awarding him a yellow card in the 37th minute. Looking to continue the pressure on the handicapped Red Warriors, Paolo Go then emerged with a burst that gave him a chance at the net, but this strike landed just above the crossbar. As the first half came to a close, an elbow was suddenly thrown by UE’s Kieth Hermoso, garnering himself a yellow card.
At the start of the second half, the Lasallians struggled to find their rhythm against UE’s brick-wall defense. Despite the struggle, Isaac Anoh generated a chance to score in the 53rd minute but the shot was wide. Five minutes later, UE exploded with an offensive play that shocked DLSU, as a Red Warrior’s strike hit the back of the net. However, this strike was called offside, negating the goal from the Red Warriors, 0–1.
With the score remaining the same, the Green Booters continued to look for a chance to earn a goal. An opportunity arose when during the 69th minute, a hard foul from UE gave DLSU a free kick. Peñalosa took charge again, but the shot missed the box once again. Despite the setback from the missed shot, a huge chance appeared for DLSU when Anoh passed the ball to Go. The strike from Go was saved, but then Peñalosa appeared from the middle and volleyed it into the net, equalizing the score, 1-all, during the 73rd minute.
With the score tied, the Lasallians looked to take the lead as they pumped up. As the matchup got more heated, harder fouls were committed and two more yellow cards were awarded to UE. A few. minutes later, however, UE’s Hermoso emerged for a heroic volley, putting the Red Warriors up at 1–2.
Despite being down, the Lasallians fought back with all their might with Mo Almohjili leading the charge. During the 95th minute, Almohjili was fouled hard, creating a stellar chance for La Salle to score where Anoh emerged with a bicycle kick. However, the strike was saved by the UE goalkeeper. As the final moments of the game came, controversy struck as Go was fouled hard by Jerome Abarca, earning the latter a red card. With the clock winding down, Anoh looked to score with a last-chance strike in the 98th minute, but the shot was saved once again. Shortly after, the whistle was blown to signal full-time, giving the Red Warriors a 1–2 victory against the Green Booters.
Tune back in on April 28, 4 PM as the Green Booters aim to bounce back as they face the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters at the same venue.
