THE CROWN came so near yet so far for the UST Lady Booters as they fell short of dethroning arch nemesis De La Salle University (La Salle) Booters in a heartbreaking 1-2 loss last Feb. 22 at the Ateneo College Football Field.
Playing in their first finals stint since 2000, Coach Jade Bejemino’s squad looked deadset to win, after drawing first blood with Mary Ignacio’s goal in the third minute.
The eventual champions, who had a twice-to-beat advantage, immediately staged a counter-attack with SEA Games athlete Clarissa Lazaro scoring a medium-ranged goal in the sixth minute.
La Salle’s Samantha Bermudez’s scored the marginal goal in the 19th minute.
UST bungled on its seven attempts, while La Salle botched eight attempts in the second half.
Despite the loss, Bejemino is happy with his team’s performance.
“They all did what they have to do,” Bejemino told the Varsitarian. “It is just that their best was not yet enough for this year.”
“It was a very good performance overall because our team is constantly getting stronger,” said Bejemino, who had his first taste of a finals stint this season. “We were able to put up a close fight against La Salle unlike in previous years.”
UST locked horns with La Salle in three tournament finals this school year, including the UAAP. La Salle also triumphed in the Metro Manila Girls Football Association and University Games.
UST forward Ignacio won the Rookie of the Year plum. Other winners include: Stephanie Pheasant (MVP) and Lazaro (Top goal scorer) of La Salle and the UP Lady Booters (Fair Play award). Llanesca T. Panti
