De La Salle University in its game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 men's football tournament, October 4, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media
MANILA — De La Salle University is off to a triumphant start in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament after claiming a 3-0 win over archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Green Booters opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match after their pressing forced the Blue Eagles into a mistake while playing out from the back, allowing Joaquin Collo to break the deadlock.
La Salle then scored twice in the second half to seal the victory. Lukie Aguilar converted John Gaverza's left-flank cross to double the Green Booters' lead in the 52nd minute, while rookie striker Argos Alingalan completed the rout with a powerful strike in the 86th minute.
"Sa amin kasi, we don't rely sa isang scorer kasi madali tayong ma-predict kung sino yung scorer," said head coach Richard Leyble. "Lagi naming sinasabi na our problem before is the finishing. Now, we train, and we need more attackers to be finishers or goalscorers."
With the University of the East next on La Salle's schedule on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the same venue, Leyble hopes his team can sharpen its pressing game.
"Yung balance doon sa pressing namin," he said. "Yung iba, hindi sumasama, hindi na-su-sustain ang pressing namin kung kailan kami mag-low, kailan kami mag-press. Kailangan naman i-improve for the next game."
Meanwhile, Ateneo will look to bounce back when it faces Adamson University on Thursday at 7 p.m.