Jodi Banzon kept her nerve when it mattered most, burying the decisive spot-kick after Jessica Pido came up with two crucial saves to propel La Salle past the University of the Philippines, 3-2, in a penalty shootout and into the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament finals late Friday evening at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Ushin Joi Valencia and Elisha Lubiano also converted their attempts for the Lady Booters, who survived a gritty UP side after their Final Four clash ended in a scoreless draw following extra time.
With the victory, La Salle will get another shot at finally dethroning Far Eastern University in the championship match next Friday at 5:00 p.m. at the same venue. The tournament is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
The upcoming fixture marks the sixth consecutive finals meeting between the Lady Booters and the Lady Tamaraws. La Salle hopes to snap its four-finals losing streak against FEU and capture its 12th division title, as well as its first championship since Season 81.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“First of all, I would like to give credit to UP,” said coach Joyce Landagan. “They played a very good game tonight. They really fought hard and gave us hard problems inside. But again, I’m happy, of course, that we got the win. I think ‘yung game na ‘yun, madaming lessons, and we’re happy na madami kaming matututunan na madadala namin sa Finals.”
Neither side managed to find the breakthrough in regulation and extra time, despite late scoring opportunities from La Salle’s Chenny Dañoso and UP’s Hannah Muros and Aurea Reaso, forcing the match into a penalty shootout to determine the finalist.
Pido immediately made her presence felt, diving low to her left to deny UP’s Erissa Rivas. However, La Salle failed to capitalize on the early advantage as Lara Regarde struck the left post.
UP’s Patricia Espinosa then sent her attempt over the bar before Valencia converted for the Lady Booters. Bam Aranas responded for the Fighting Maroons to keep the shootout close.
Dañoso subsequently hit the crossbar for La Salle, while Jeri Facturanan sent her attempt high. UP goalkeeper Ainnah De Guzman also denied Jiela Buebos to keep the score level.
Muros and Lubiano then exchanged successful conversions before Pido came up with another crucial save, stopping Julian Arrojado to put La Salle within reach of the victory. Banzon made no mistake with her ensuing attempt, slotting home the decisive penalty to seal the Lady Booters’ place in the final.
“Ang pep talk namin was more about having each other’s backs kasi madami kaming injuries,” said Landagan. “Madami kaming challenges within the team, but setting the girls’ mindset na andito kami para sa isa’t isa — bawat kakampi ko andyan — very, very important, so ‘yun ‘yung pinakamalaking factor sa amin.”
UP, meanwhile, will settle for the bronze medal, marking the Fighting Maroons’ first podium finish since Season 86.
The Fighting Maroons will have to wait another year for another opportunity to reach the championship match. Their last finals appearance came in Season 78, when they defeated La Salle, 2-1, to claim the title.
UP will also bid farewell to several key players, with defender Nicole Narido, midfielder Kylle Moreno, and Facturanan and Muros set to graduate.
