Late Aguilar winner lifts Green Booters past Warriors
Lucas Aguilar drilled in the winning strike late and gave La Salle a first win in Season 88 of the UAAP men’s football tournament, a 1-0 nipping of the University of the East, on Thursday at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
Just as the match seemed headed for a scoreless tie, the second-generation booter for La Salle 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 La Salle to three points with a goal difference of zero, joining Ateneo, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines at the top of the table.
“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.”
La Salle survived a scare 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.
“We were lucky,” Leyble added. “We were sensing that UE was the one to win in this case, but fortunately, we got the first goal (in added time).”
Aguilar also had an earlier attempt waved off for offside but made up for it late in the match.
The Green Booters will look to build momentum when they face UP on Thursday.
