Lady Booters outlast UP in a hard-fought battle
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters outlasted the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 3–2, earlier today at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
It was Maria Layacan who was hailed Player of the Game after contributing two goals in the first half of the match. Then it was Shai Del Campo that made the game winning header at the second half of the game. On the other hand, UAAP’s best goal keeper Roxy Eduave played a pivotal role for the Fighting Maroons, making numerous saves during the crucial points of the match while Abby Dumada-Og and Kam Mangrobang each contributed their own respective goals.
The game started off with the Lady Booters attaining ball possession but was taken off by the Fighting Maroons right afterwards, leading to a back and forth battle for possession in the first few minutes. Abby Dumada-Og scored the the first goal of the game at the third minute mark, off the miscommunication between the Lady Booters, 0–1. Two minutes later, Layacan ran through the right wing and passed the ball to Del Campo who was fouled, leading to a penalty. But this attempt was denied by UP’s goalie. Following this, the Lady Booters regrouped and began to increase their momentum to find an opening to equalize.
During the 9th minute mark, Micha Santiago made an elbow contact with a UP winger, leading to a foul and yellow card. Despite the early goal created by UP, the Lady Booters continuously remained calm in the next few minutes as they made sure to steadfastly gain control and look for openings to score. However, at the 16th minute mark, the Fighting Maroons yet again made another run through Kam Mangrobang who gave the cross assist to Audrea Reaso, who made a straight shot, 0–2, giving UP a two-point lead. With this, the game turned against the Lady Booters as the pressure is against them.
After a few minutes, the Lady Booters finally got an opening as Layacan hits the cross goal inside the box in the 25th minute mark helping them regain momentum, 1–2. The game continued to intensify as both teams tried to recover ball possession and aim for another goal. Six minutes later, Del Campo made the run through the wing finding Layacan yet again in the middle, who scored another goal, equalizing the match at 2-all.
With this, the Lady Booters have now turned things around as every player brought their A-game being much more aggressive to take the lead from UP. In the 41st minute mark, Anicka Castañeda tried to hit a strong outside-the-box goal from an assist but ultimately missed. In the final minutes of the first half, UP aimed to score a goal from Mangrobang to Dumada-og but instead made contact with Maye Mendaño, ending the first half with a draw, 2-all.
Coming into the second half, the Lady Booters aimed to score off quickly through a Castañeda goal attempt but this was saved by the goalie. In the next minute, Jansen Miranda landed a foot on Shai Del Campo leading to a free kick but possession was immediately taken by UP. The game continued to go on a back and forth battle as both teams were eager to find openings and create chances to take the lead. In the 56th minute mark, Layacan yet again aimed for another goal to complete a hatrick coming off Chenny Danoso’s assist but this too was caught by UP’s goalie yet again. The Lady Booters continued to showcase teamwork and display of offense however it was Reaso yet again dribbling all the way and finding space making another shot attempt outside the box but this was saved by Lady Booters goalie Alex Gumilao.
The Lady Booters continued to show their unwavering spirit by continuously putting momentum on their side and by the 61st minute mark, it was TJ Isulat that aimed for the goal attempt but was saved yet again by Roxy Eduave. A few minutes later, the Lady Booters displayed their offensive prowess as Otom attempted a goal which unfortunately hit the post but was received by Castañeda and hits another goal attempt yet again but was saved again by Eduave.
Then, in the 80th minute mark, Del Campo delivered a pass to Layacan who made the run and passed it to Lyka Teves who attempted for a goal but missed. UP retalliated through Mangrobang making a run and a goal attempt which goes in but this was not counted due to a foul committed by UP. The back and forth battle between both teams continued throughout the match yet neither yielded to one another. Finally in the last few minutes of the game it was Em Maligalig that took the corner kick and passed it to Shai Del Campo, hitting the game winning header and finally giving La Salle the lead the win, 3–2.
Catch the Lady Booters return to the finals against the defending champions FEU Lady Tamaraws next Friday, May 10, 5:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
