De La Salle University’s UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament campaign came to a disheartening conclusion last Sunday, as the Green Booters suffered a resounding 7-0 defeat at the hands of defending champion and Final Four-bound University of the Philippines at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Already out of semifinal contention before the match, the Green Booters struggled with motivation.
By halftime, they were trailing by six goals, and UP’s Jan Ceena Donato capped off the dominant display with a late goal in the second half.
For La Salle head coach Alvin Ocampo, the disappointing campaign has already spurred plans for a significant overhaul ahead of Season 88.
“For tonight, this was really about giving opportunities to other players,” said Ocampo, a former national team player. “Since we had no chance of making the Final Four and had already secured fifth place, we needed to give chances to those who hadn’t logged minutes yet, including goalkeepers who hadn’t played.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Ocampo acknowledged the shortcomings and emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation.
“The results didn’t go as planned, and we lost by big margins,” he admitted. “As coaches, we need to assess the entire team’s performance throughout the season. Either we revamp, rebuild, or re-evaluate aspects that need to be set aside.”
Ocampo also outlined plans to expand La Salle’s recruitment efforts for the next season.
“After the women’s season, we’ll assess everything, including our juniors’ program. By February or March, we’ll start holding tryouts, and for the first time, the coaches will visit selected provinces instead of conducting everything in one venue. Interested players just need to follow the DLSU Football page for updates.”
A Season of Decline
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
La Salle’s previous missed semifinal campaigns, though frustrating, were at least competitive.
In Season 86, the Green Booters collected 16 points and narrowly missed the semifinals after a 2-2 draw with archrivals Ateneo on the final day of eliminations.
Similarly, in Season 79, they finished with 16 points, just five points shy of the University of Santo Tomas, which secured the last Final Four slot.
However, Season 87 marked a steep decline.
The Green Booters ended their campaign with only 10 points from three wins, one draw, and eight losses.
They conceded 31 goals while scoring just 13 – a stark contrast to their previous seasons.
The final whistle from referee John Mike Basinang not only sealed their 7-0 loss to UP but also underscored the team’s struggles throughout the season.
“Quality-wise, our games were very below average,” Ocampo admitted. “We set minimal goals for the year, but we conceded too many goals easily. We lacked players to stabilize the midfield and had to make significant adjustments every game. It’s been challenging because we worked with just 23 players.”
Ocampo took accountability for La Salle’s poor performance.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and assess everything—where we fell short and what problems need addressing. Every time we lose, the responsibility lies with us coaches. We have to break this down to move forward.”
Moving Forward
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
As the Green Booters prepare for next season, Ocampo highlighted the importance of roster stability and retention.
“It’s not just about the graduating players, which is around four to five this year, but also about who will return next January,” he said. “That’s why we gave some players more minutes today – it was their last playing day.”
La Salle’s proud alumni base has not shied away from expressing their frustrations on social media and in stadiums, especially in high-profile UAAP sports like basketball, volleyball, and football.
Despite the criticism, Ocampo remains appreciative of their support.
“We’re very grateful for them. Until the end, they were there. Of course, some will criticize, but they don’t know the full picture – what’s happening in training or within the team. It’s normal, but at least their criticisms show that they care. Lasallian supporters care deeply about the team.”
With the season now behind them, the challenge for Ocampo and his staff is clear: to rebuild the Green Booters into a competitive force come Season 88.
