CITY OF IMUS — Lucas Aguilar drilled in a late winner to give De La Salle University its first victory of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Football Tournament, edging University of the East, 1-0, Thursday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.
Just as the match seemed headed for a goalless stalemate, the second-generation student-athlete broke the deadlock in the second minute of added time, handing the Green Booters their first win under new head coach Richard Leyble.
The result lifted De La Salle to three points with a goal difference of 0, joining Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines at the top of the table.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We started slow because some of the players didn’t follow the plan,” said Leyble, the former Davao Aguilas FC mentor in the Philippines Football League who succeeded Alvin Ocampo at the helm. “But all in all, they played well. Everybody played well. Everybody didn’t give up. They just played and won this game.
“Now, we were lucky. We were sensing that UE was the one to win in this case, but fortunately, we got the first goal.”
De La Salle had to survive several scares early, as UE pressed hard in the opening half.
Eldrin Madrid found the back of the net in the fourth minute, only for the goal to be nullified due to an offside call.
Skipper John Bernard Magallon also came close, while Keith Hermoso repeatedly created danger with his deliveries into the Green Booters’ box.
Strong stops from starting goalkeeper Edcel Lauron and substitute Jason Salvante proved pivotal, keeping De La Salle afloat until it could seize its chance.
Aguilar also had an earlier attempt waved off for offside, but made up for it late in the match.
Off a set-piece opportunity, Sebastian Fronda picked out Aguilar lurking inside the box.
With perfect timing, Fronda delivered the ball, and Aguilar blasted it past Chrisjan Tambilawan for the decisive strike.
That goal sealed De La Salle’s first triumph of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Green Booters will look to build momentum when they face UP next Thursday, October 2, at 2:00 PM on the same Imus pitch.
It was a frustrating defeat for UE, which dominated large stretches of the match — particularly in the first half — but failed to find the back of the net for the second straight outing.
The Red Warriors, now with two losses and a minus-2 goal difference, will try to bounce back against Ateneo on Sunday at 4:00 PM. – TJ
