Lady Booters yield to FEU, end UAAP S86 campaign with Silver podium
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters yielded to defending champions, the Far Eastern University(FEU) Lady Booters, 1— 2, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. This result officially marked the end of La Salle’s UAAP Season 86 campaign, earning the Silver podium.
It was Mari Layacan doing it all offensively for the Lady Booters as she contributed one goal and created many openings for her team mates. Goalkeeper Alex Gumilao also served as the heart and soul of the Lady Booters’ defense as she made numerous saves all through out the game. On the other hand, it was Inday Tolentin and Jonela Albiño’s wonder goal that gave the Tamaraws the big dub, claiming their second championship in a row.
The game started off with La Salle having possession and aiming to create an opening for a goal through the main attacking unit of Mari Layacan, TJ Isulat and Shai Del Campo putting pressure against the defending champions. Layacan aimed for a goal attempt towards the 6th minute of the game, but it widely missed. It was a battle of possession between the two teams as both displayed intense defense. Moving forward to the 12th minute mark, Goalie Gumilao made the save from FEU’s goal attempt making the crowd roar and boosting momentum for the Green and White. Four minutes later, Layacan made a run and executed an outstanding goal giving the first points of the game to the DLSU Lady Booters, 1–0.
With this, the Lady Booters further increased their momentum and intensity by creating quick passes and making openings to put FEU in a tight position as the former controlled the game for a while. 30 minutes into the game, the Tamaraws attempted to make a comeback by making a run and was able to draw a foul and yellow card on Anicka Castañeda, decreasing momentum for La Salle. Fast forwad to the 44th minute mark, FEU found an opening through an Althea Rebosura shot attempt that missed but was quickly recovered by Tolentin who made a run and hit the equalizer, 1-all.
The first half ended with an all out chaotic battle of possession in the extra time of the first half with both teams showcasing aggressiveness making physical contacts against each other.
Coming into the second half of the game, the DLSU Lady Booters started off with a quick movement rotation aiming to score another goal. However, the Tamaraws were able to get the upper hand as they quickly took ball possession, getting the upper hand during the first few minutes at the start of the half. Nevertheless, La Salle retaliated with tremendous defensive plays. Shades of physicality from the first half were still present as both squads duked it out for ball possession. Coming in the 60th minute mark, the defending champions displayed aggressiveness by putting pressure on the La Salle Lady Booters by forcing them to play on the defensive end, but the latter did not yield, putting numerous stops on FEU’s offense. At the 72nd mark, a free kick was awarded to FEU, but the goal attempt was saved again by Gumilao. Following this, Layacan made a run in an attempt to retaliate through a goal but was saved by FEU’s goalie. Fast forward to extra time of the second half, a lot of near chances and defensive stops were showcased by both teams. The second half still ended in a tie game, 1-all, leading the match to further extra time.
Entering extra time, the Tamaraws attempted an early goal but Gumilao yet again made the save for the DLSU Lady Booters. The match then entered it’s pinnacle as both teams continued to not yield, still aiming for an opening to score again and take the lead. A flurry of passes and goals were then created by both teams, yet neither caved to the other as everything was on the line with the first team to score will be crowned as champion. However, tragedy struck in the 111th minute mark, when Jonela Albiño hit a wonderful yet vicious free kick that slotted in the box, giving FEU the lead, 1–2. La Salle attempted to equalize in the next few sequences but the goal attempts were unsuccessful. Time soon ran out with FEU eventually claiming the victory and earning back-to-back champion title.
After the match, Shai Del Campo was awarded the UAAP Season 86's Best Midfielder in the Women’s Division. The DLSU Lady Booters may have fell short in the Finals matchup, but there is no denying that La Salle fought the good fight until the end.
