UAAP: La Salle outlasts UP in shootout, sets up Finals showdown vs. FEU

MANILA — De La Salle University is headed to the finals of the UAAP Season 89 women’s football tournament after a thrilling victory against University of the Philippines, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Jodi Banzon converted from the spot to lift La Salle to a 3-2 win over the Fighting Maroons in a penalty shootout, after the two sides battled to a goalless draw in their Final 4 clash. 

The result set up a showdown between La Salle and UP for the women’s football crown — the sixth consecutive championship meeting between the squads. 

“First of all, I would like to give credit to UP,” said coach Joyce Landagan. “They played a very good game tonight. They really fought hard and gave us hard problems inside.

“But again, I’m happy, of course, that we got the win. I think ‘yung game na ‘yun, madaming lessons, and we’re happy na madami kaming matututunan na madadala namin sa Finals,” she added.

Neither side managed to find the breakthrough in regulation and extra time, despite late scoring opportunities from La Salle’s Chenny Dañoso and UP’s Hannah Muros and Aurea Reaso, forcing the match into a penalty shootout to determine the finalist.

La Salle ‘keeper Jessica Pido immediately made her presence felt, diving low to her left to deny UP’s Erissa Rivas. However, the Lady Booters failed to capitalize on the early advantage as Lara Regarde struck the left post.

UP’s Patricia Espinosa then sent her attempt over the bar before Ushin Joi Valencia converted for the Lady Booters.

Bam Aranas responded for the Fighting Maroons to keep the shootout close.

Dañoso subsequently hit the crossbar for La Salle, while Jeri Facturanan sent her attempt high. UP goalkeeper Ainnah De Guzman then denied Jiela Buebos to keep the score level.

UP’s Muros and La Salle’s Elisha Lubiano then exchanged successful conversions before Pido came up with another crucial save, stopping Julian Arrojado to put La Salle within reach of the victory.

Banzon made no mistake with her ensuing attempt, slotting home the decisive penalty to seal the Lady Booters’ place in the final.

“Ang pep talk namin was more about having each other’s backs kasi madami kaming injuries,” said Landagan. “Madami kaming challenges within the team, but setting the girls’ mindset na andito kami para sa isa’t isa — bawat kakampi ko andyan — very, very important, so ‘yun ‘yung pinakamalaking factor sa amin.”

UP, meanwhile, will settle for the bronze medal, marking the Fighting Maroons’ first podium finish since Season 86. 

They will farewell to several key players, with defender Nicole Narido, midfielder Kylle Moreno, and Facturanan and Muros set to graduate.