LA SALLE edged out University of the Philippines, 3-2, via penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes to arrange a sixth consecutive UAAP women’s football Final clash with Far Eastern University late Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Jessica Pido came up with crucial saves, while Ushin Joi Valencia and Elisha Lubiano converted their attempts to set the stage for Jodi Banzon’s match-winning spot-kick.
The Lady Booters will get another shot at finally dethroning the Lady Tamaraws in the one-off championship on Friday at 5 p.m. at the same Malate venue.
It was a heartbreaking Final Four defeat by the third-ranked Fighting Maroons, who gave the No. 2 team in the eliminations everything to handle before falling short of forcing a do-or-die.
“First of all, I would like to give credit to UP,” said first-year La Salle 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.”
Banzon slotted 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.”
La Salle hopes to finally solve the puzzle in five-peat seeking FEU to capture a 12th title, as well as its first championship since 2019.
