De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas battled to an entertaining goalless draw to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Green Booters thought they had broken the deadlock just three minutes into the contest, but James Sibla’s early strike was ruled out for offside.
Sibla slotted home the rebound after Golden Booters goalkeeper Mark Daig denied Uriel Dalapo’s initial attempt, only for the assistant referee to raise the flag.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Both teams continued to search for the breakthrough in the second half, but neither could find the finishing touch to claim all three points.
Joaquin Collo, Argos Alingalan, and Dalapo struggled to convert their chances in the final third for La Salle. Meanwhile, Adrian Peciller nearly capitalized on a Daig fumble.
The UST goalkeeper, however, recovered quickly to deny the attempt.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
At the other end, Golden Booters substitute Richard Songalia tested the La Salle defense, but Green Booters custodian Iñigo Castro stood firm to turn away his efforts.
“Both teams played well, most especially with the defense line,” said La Salle coach Richard Leyble. “UST is coming from winning against FEU, and we prepared for that kind of play.
“But by way of the defense, unfortunately, we did not materialize the attempts or score a goal, but it was a good fight for both teams,” he continued.
The goalless stalemate, the first of Season 89, earned both squads a point, with La Salle leapfrogging University of the Philippines into second place on goal difference.
Both teams now have 11 points, but the Green Booters hold a plus-5 goal difference compared to the Fighting Maroons’ plus-2.
Meanwhile, UST sits in fourth place with 10 points, three clear of fifth-ranked Far Eastern University.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Golden Booters extended their unbeaten run to four games after opening the season with consecutive losses. Head coach Marjo Allado hopes his squad can build on the hard-earned point as they turn their attention to the second round.
“Well, at least tonight, we won one point and drew against La Salle,” said Allado.
“We keep going lang, focus on the next win namin. So ‘yun lang naman, goal namin is to win points kasi dikit-dikit lahat ng points. ‘Yung purpose is to gain points and not drop them — ‘yun ang mindset namin as coaches,” he closed.
