De La Salle University made an emphatic start to its UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament campaign, dismantling archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 3-0, on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Green Booters opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match after their pressing forced the Blue Eagles into a mistake while playing out from the back, allowing Joaquin Collo to break the deadlock.
La Salle then scored twice in the second half to seal the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Lukie Aguilar converted John Gaverza’s left-flank cross to double the Green Booters’ lead in the 52nd minute, while rookie striker Argos Alingalan completed the rout with a powerful strike in the 86th minute.
“Sa amin kasi, we don’t rely sa isang scorer kasi madali tayong ma-predict kung sino yung scorer,” said head coach Richard Leyble. “Lagi naming sinasabi na our problem before is the finishing. Now, we train, and we need more attackers to be finishers or goalscorers.”
Hoping to build on last year’s Final Four finish, La Salle aims to maintain its consistency throughout the season. One notable aspect of Sunday’s match was Leyble’s use of platoon substitutions, ensuring that the Green Booters maintained their intensity while pressing high up the pitch.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With the University of the East next on La Salle’s schedule on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue, Leyble hopes his team can sharpen its pressing game.
“Yung balance doon sa pressing namin,” he said. “Yung iba, hindi sumasama, hindi na-su-sustain ang pressing namin kung kailan kami mag-low, kailan kami mag-press. Kailangan naman i-improve for the next game.”
Meanwhile, Ateneo will look to bounce back when it faces Adamson University on Thursday at 7 p.m.
