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Chenny Danoso celebrates after scoring a goal for La Salle against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament, September 26, 2026 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. UAAP Media
MANILA — De La Salle University maintained its perfect start in the UAAP Season 89 women's football tournament after cruising past archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 3-0, on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Season 87 Golden Boot and Best Striker awardee Dani Tanjangco opened the scoring for the Lady Booters with a composed finish in the 15th minute.
La Salle would pull away in the second half behind goals from Lara Regarde (53') and Chenny Danoso (69'). For Regarde, this was her second goal in as many matches.
With Regarde enjoying a hot start to the season, coach Joyce Landagan reserved special praise for the second-year midfielder.
"Very happy sa growth ni Lara. I hope na mag-continue na sama-sama kaming lahat na mag-grow — even me, kasi bago lang ako," said Landagan.
Landagan, who replaced La Salle football legend Alvin Ocampo in the offseason, has enjoyed a strong start to her tenure as the new Lady Booters coach, guiding the team to back-to-back wins over the University of the Philippines and Ateneo.
Despite the emotional high of both victories, Landagan wants her players to keep their feet on the ground and continue fighting hard in every match this season.
"I'm very happy because it's really a team effort," she said. "Like what I said last time, every game, I think we have to take it one game at a time. The girls were responding sa system namin, so it was really a team effort.”
The two rivals will return to action on Wednesday at the same venue. La Salle will open the triple-header against National University at 2 p.m., followed by Ateneo’s clash with neighbor UP at 4:30 p.m.