La Salle rides on Lubiano header to top Ateneo in UAAP opener

c/o UAAP

Elisha Lubiano scored the lone goal as De La Salle University edged archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 1-0, in the opener of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the newly inaugurated Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

A product of the University of Bohol, Lubiano headed the ball home in the 51st minute, finally giving the Lady Booters the lead after a series of missed chances.

“They should have all been converted,” said coach Alvin Ocampo. “There were unopposed one-on-ones that didn’t end in goals. We need to practice more on our finishing.”

Chenny Mae Dañoso, Maria Layacan, and Season 87 Golden Boot and Best Striker awardee Dani Tanjangco all had opportunities to extend La Salle’s lead before Lubiano’s opener, but they lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

Blue Eagles goalkeeper Chelssy Casals also played a key role in keeping La Salle at bay, making routine stops to deny Mikaela Villacin and Tanjangco between Lubiano’s goal.

Villacin even put the ball in the net in the first half, but her effort was ruled out for offside.

With three points secured to start their campaign, La Salle will aim to build on this win against University of Santo Tomas this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Vermosa.

“When we faced UST in the pre-season, we only played them for a half,” said Ocampo. “Not much happened then, so hopefully this time we can bounce back against them.”

Ateneo, meanwhile, will seek redemption against defending champion Far Eastern University on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Celina Salazar and Astrid Ignacio had rare chances in front of the goal for the Blue Eagles amid La Salle’s dominance, but both fired straight at goalkeeper Jessica Marie Pido.

The Blue Eagles nearly spoiled the Lady Booters’ winning start when a free kick was awarded in stoppage time following Lubiano’s foul.

Kassandra Marie Zalamea stepped up to take it, but her shot sailed over the bar, allowing La Salle to hold on for the narrow victory.