Lady Booters concede to FEU, finish PFFWL at fourth place

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters conceded to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 1–2, in the Battle for Third of the 2023 PFF Women’s League, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. This is the first time in the last three years that La Salle missed out on a podium finish in the off-season tournament.

Coming into the game, both squads were determined to claim the bronze after losing a Finals spot to Kaya FC-Iloilo for La Salle and Manila Digger FC for FEU.

At the beginning of the first half, both teams were scoreless for a while as they tested each other’s defense. La Salle’s first goal attempt came in the fourth minute mark wherein Angelica Teves passed to Samantha Toledo who almost made a direct goal but FEU’s goalie, Yasmin Elauria quickly caught the ball. The Tamaraws would then make their first goal attempt three minutes later courtesy of their captain, Dionesa Tolentin’s direct goal to the box but Jessica Pido was there to make the save.

Following this, Pido made another save against a Tolentin shot, but FEU managed to earn a corner. The set piece to Regine Rebosura who headed the ball in the box was wide, keeping the match scoreless.

A few sequences later, captain Anna Delos Reyes granted the Green and White their first corner of the game after being fouled. This however would not amount to any goal. The Tamaraws once again attempted to get a goal first with another corner, but La Salle defenders made sure to clear the ball.

For a while, both squads made runs in hopes of getting a goal advantage but most of these led to wide shots or were caught by Pido or Elauria. At the 30th minute, the Lady Booters looked to finally break through the scoreboard as Shai Del Ocampo delivered a pass to Toledo who passed it to Maria Layacan, but Elauria came out and swifly put an end to this play.

Five minutes later, FEU drew first blood blood as Tolentin delivered a pass to Marienell Cristobal who faked a header to draw Pido’s attention away from a defender-free Carmela Altiche who slots the ball into the box, 0–1.

La Salle in turn, immediately tried to equalize by going on a run but Del Ocampo was too far from the ball and led to Elauria clearing the ball soon after. Two minutes of stoppage time was added in the half, wherein the Lady Booters continued to attempt to equalize but FEU’s steady defense and the latter having ball possession most of the time hindered La Salle of doing so. The first half soon concluded with the Tamaraws up by one, 0–1.

As soon as the whistle blew for the start of the second half, La Salle was more aggressive on the ball. Two minutes in, Del Ocampo shot a header that went wide but was able to earn a free kick. This free kick was taken by Teves who had to retake it again after a confusing call, but the result remained the same: a goal, this time placed within the left post of the box, equalizing the score, 1–1.

However, in the 53rd minute, tragedy struck again as Tolentin went one-on-one with Pido before volleying it at the upper left of the box. 1–2, the Tamaraws ahead.

La Salle attempted to level again with a set-piece, but Tamaraw defenders deflected it. Then, Chenny Danoso launched a direct shot but unfortunately was off target. FEU’s Rebosura aimed to further add to their advantage, but the goal was ruled offside.

Another free kick was awarded to the Green and White during the 72nd minute which Teves took. But the shot landed directly in Elauria’s hands, keeping the score to 1–2.

For the rest of the second half, the Lady Booters struggled to keep ball possession, hindering their chances of leveling the score. This pattern would continue for the remainder of the game wherein La Salle had multiple scoring opportunities but could not get past the Tamaraws defense.

Even with an additional stoppage time of five minutes, the Lady Booters were unable to equalize, thus securing a fourth place finish in the tournament.

Angelica Teves was also awarded the tournament’s Golden Boot after tallying a total of 19 goals throughout the season.