By: Nicole Parallag
Megan Alforque set the tone, while Dani Tanjangco and Elisha Lubiano provided the finishing touches as De La Salle University cruised past National University, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Alforque, a third-year midfielder from De La Salle Zobel, broke the deadlock in the 45+4 minute to put the Lady Booters ahead just before halftime.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
La Salle then pulled away with two second-half goals.
Tanjangco scored her third goal of the season in the 74th minute to double the Lady Booters’ lead. Lubiano later capitalized on a set piece off Alforque’s free kick in the 89th minute to complete the scoring.
“Yung game is very tough. I think nag-kick in na yung fatigue because of the scheduling of the UAAP. We won, but we have a lot of things to work on,” said head coach Joyce Landagan.
“It’s really crucial for us every game; we want to, of course, secure a win. It will help us; securing the second spot is crucial for us,” she continued.
The victory strengthened La Salle’s hold on second place with 19 points, keeping last season’s finalists firmly in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
It was also the second time the Lady Booters defeated the Lady Bulldogs this season, following their 2-0 victory in the first round on September 30.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
In contrast, NU remained at the bottom of the standings, still without a point in Season 89.
Both teams return to action in Sunday’s triple-header at UP Diliman.
La Salle aims to secure the twice-to-beat advantage when it faces the University of the Philippines at 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, NU continues its search for its first win of the season against University of Santo Tomas at 7:00 PM.
