MANILA — Jodie Banzon netted twice to power De La Salle University to a crucial 3-2 win over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament, Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Banzon, a second-year forward, scored in the 13th and 27th minutes to give La Salle a commanding lead. The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu product has scored in back-to-back games and taken her tally to three goals.
Lara Regarde then scored the Green Lady Booters' third goal in the 51st minute, giving La Salle some breathing room amid UST's repeated comeback attempts.
Jodie Banzon of La Salle celebrates a goal against UST in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament, October 3, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media
"Of course, we're happy to get the win," said assistant coach Ma. Eleonora Dillera, as head coach Joyce Landagan had to attend to personal business.
"It's a winning streak after all, but again, when we get back to training, we have to address our emotions and game maturity because at a certain point, when UST was trying to get the tempo, we followed their tempo instead of us dictating the tempo."
"It's something that we still need to work on. I think the team is still at that point where we're still building, but we're happy with the results."
UST pulled a goal back just before the half when Rodina Martinez's shot from the edge of the box beat La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido.
UST captain Maria Rica Gerona then produced a fine finish to make it 3-2 in the 78th minute, but the Lady Booters could not find the breakthrough they needed to salvage a draw in the dying stages of the match.
This is La Salle's fourth straight win, hiking their points tally to 12 points. Up next for the Green Lady Booters is a Finals rematch against defending champion Far Eastern University.