By: Brenn Allen Flores
Dani Tanjangco and Maegan Alforque each scored braces as La Salle University defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 5-2, to secure a spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Final on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The victory marks the Lady Booters’ seventh consecutive finals appearance as they chase their 12th UAAP championship.
La Salle will face the “three-peat”-seeking Far Eastern University in the finals for the fourth straight season, and the two teams’ 10th overall meeting in the title match.
Lady Booters head coach Alvin Ocampo highlighted the importance of the team’s training regimen as they prepare for the finals against FEU.
“It all stemmed from the fact that we needed those three points, and we were able to apply what we’ve practiced the whole week, the whole two weeks. So basically, it’s preparation for FEU talaga,” said Ocampo. “Ayaw namin mag three-peat. We have to reclaim the title.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
La Salle broke the scoreless tie in the 21st minute when Chenny Mae Dañoso lobbed an excellent ball to Maegan Alforque, who faked Ateneo goalkeeper Chelssy Casals to score a simple goal.
Danielle Tanjangco doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, finishing off a perfect driven cross from Arantxa Trebol.
In the second half, Alforque scored again with a clinical right-footed finish, extending La Salle’s lead to three.
Tanjangco added her second brace in the 69th minute, blasting a powerful shot past Casals to make it 4-0 for La Salle.
Ateneo, however, refused to give up.
Angely Alferez pulled one back with a brace of her own in the 77th and 81st minutes.
But Dañoso sealed the victory for La Salle in the 87th minute, scoring a stunning goal to make it 5-2 and extend their win streak against Ateneo to 12 games.
Ateneo’s troubles continued when midfielder Daniella Benitez was stretchered off in the 93rd minute.
National team players Shai del Campo and Lyka Teves, fresh from their 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal campaign, came off the bench for La Salle in the second half.
With the win, La Salle overtook FEU in the standings, improving to 14 points with a plus-8 goal difference.
La Salle and FEU will face off in a finals preview next Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same Diliman field.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo remained at the bottom of the standings with four points and a minus-10 goal difference.
The Blue Eagles will conclude their Season 87 campaign against FEU on December 7, Saturday, at 6:30 PM.
