Hungry for More: Green Booters Go All In as They Enter Season 87

“We desire to get the championship back”

Despite the results of last season, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters are more driven than ever to come back this Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with a championship to their name.

Looking back on what transpired during Season 86, the Green Booters were not able to fulfill their goals when they faced their long-time rival, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team, in their final match for Round 2. While the game ended in a draw (2–2), they were still two points behind Ateneo on the overall rankings, landing them out of contention for the Final Four and cutting the team’s dream of being UAAP Champions short.

While it was devastating for the team, it has not broken the resolve and passion of the players. Green Booters Captain Enrico Mangaoang remarked on the past season, saying “Last season, we ended up in the fifth place which is something we didn’t expect but we have to accept that and we have to move forward.”

The team is hungry, not only to play in the Final Four but to win the championship for DLSU. The captain remarked, “…we are more hungry and we, as a team, desire more to achieve, to be in the Final Four. We desire to get the championship back.”

This devotion from the team is evident in how they have been preparing for the upcoming season. With UAAP Season 87’s football tournament starting earlier than the previous season, the Green Booters have had less time to train. However, it has not stopped the team from pouring all their efforts into their training by participating in friendly games and striving to refine any weaknesses evident in their plays.

When asked about their preparations for the upcoming season, Mangaoang shared, “…we have some friendly games against pro teams and other collegiate teams that really pushed us to improve so any lapses from those games, we as a team, try to review it and correct it during our trainings so any individual and team mistakes, the coaches try to discuss and address it so everybody will know how and what to develop.”

The captain added, “As much as possible starting from training I encourage myself and I encourage [that] everyone must do the drills intensely and with more than a hundred percent effort. We also say to each other to train like how you would play so how you play during the games reflects how much effort you put into the trainings.”

The team captain further stated how this mindset in training is beneficial to ready them for those high intensity moments they will face in matches:

“During games there are situations that would give you no room to think but you have to act instinctively so with that as players we really have to start the trainings with the right mindset of improving and understanding our game.”

While putting the team in shape with plays and formation is important, Mangaoang stated how team communication and chemistry is also constantly being strengthened during training. There is a stronger sense of camaraderie and respect among the players as it is crucial in preparing themselves for what they must face next season.

“I think all the players are excellent in terms of technical skills and game knowledge but I think we as a team have to be more resilient coming from fifth place last season so we have to have a stronger and togetherness mindset when stepping on the pitch.”

Through their friendly games and training, the team has honed their team dynamic and communication together. Mangaoang feels confident the players have learned how to play according to the coaches, not only as individual players but as a team. This is crucial to their victory in the upcoming season.

“In practice, we don’t just train our formations or tactics or strategies but also in the process we also foster our connection and team chemistry as I said by proper team communication so it is essential that we always talk on the pitch.”

Along with the guidance of their coaches, the Green Booters have readied themselves for the upcoming Season 87 and urge all Lasallians to come and support them as they compete in the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

“Please come and watch as we give our all on the field. Your cheers and presence means the world to us as we aim to bring pride to the green and white. Together let’s show the strength and spirit of the green booters and the Lasallian community. Animo, La Salle!”

Cheer on the DLSU Green Booters in their campaign for the UAAP Season 87 Football Championship as they face the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles for their opening game on September 15, 7:00 PM, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Their Round 1 schedule is as follows:

DLSU vs. Ateneo— September 15, 7:00 PM
DLSU vs. UE — September 19, 2:00 PM
DLSU vs. UST— October 6, 2:00 PM
DLSU vs. FEU— October 10, 4:00 PM
DLSU vs. AdU — October 17, 4:00 PM
DLSU vs. UP—October 24, 6:30 PM