Chenny Dañoso Goal Helps DLSU Complete Bronze Medal Run
De La Salle University secured bronze in the 2026 PFF Women’s League after battling University of the Philippines to a 1-1 draw. The Lady Booters completed their campaign with seven points, while Chenny Dañoso delivered the equalizer before halftime at Adidas Football Park.
Dañoso Equalizer Secures La Salle’s Bronze Medal
The Philippine Football Federation’s account of the finale documented Patricia Espinosa’s fourth-minute opener before La Salle mounted its response. Espinosa converted from a set-piece situation, immediately forcing the Lady Booters to chase the game during their final fixture.
Dañoso responded from outside the box before halftime, leveling the contest and eventually securing La Salle’s podium finish. Neither team produced another breakthrough, leaving La Salle with seven points while UP collected its first point of the campaign.
Image from: Philippine Football Federation
Early Setback Forces Lady Booters to Respond
Conceding within four minutes tested La Salle’s composure because UP immediately gained opportunities to protect space and defend deeper. Dañoso’s equalizer restored control before halftime and prevented the Lady Booters from chasing the match throughout the second period.
Chenny Dañoso Steps Up During Short-Handed La Salle Run
Dañoso completed a productive individual campaign by finishing fifth among the league’s leading scorers with four goals overall. Her contribution carried additional importance because La Salle entered the finale without three established players from its regular rotation.
Goalkeeper Jessica Pido, midfielder Maegan Alforque, and forward Dani Tanjangco were unavailable after joining Kaya FC-Iloilo’s continental campaign. Dañoso credited teammates who “stepped up” as the Lady Booters adjusted their combinations and distributed greater responsibilities across the squad.
Missing Starters Test La Salle’s Squad Depth
Losing three regular contributors forced La Salle to evaluate players who might otherwise have received fewer competitive minutes. Expanded responsibilities can strengthen roster depth before UAAP competition, where injuries and availability frequently require tactical and personnel adjustments.
PFF Highlights Competitive Spirit Behind PWL Finale
PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez highlighted the competitive finale while discussing the character developing throughout Philippine women’s football. His assessment connected the match’s intensity with the aggressive competitive identity increasingly encouraged throughout the country’s women’s programs.
“To close the season with such a competitive game is a testament of the character of the Filipina footballer.”
“That feisty, palaban spirit that brought us to back-to-back Women’s World Cup, and that spirit is being kindled here in PWL.”
Regular domestic competition provides developing players with meaningful matches against opponents carrying different tactical approaches and levels of experience. University programs also receive another platform beyond UAAP competition, allowing coaches to evaluate personnel before returning to collegiate schedules.
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Domestic Matches Strengthen Women’s Football Pathway
Consistent league matches expose developing players to tactical situations that cannot be fully replicated during ordinary training sessions. Competing against varied opposition also encourages faster decision-making while broadening experience beyond familiar university opponents and systems.
Kaya Three-Peat Sets Championship Standard
Kaya FC-Iloilo completed its third consecutive PFF Women’s League championship after finishing comfortably atop the standings with 21 points. Far Eastern University collected silver with 12 points, while La Salle’s seven points completed the league’s 2026 podium.
Kaya also advanced through the AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage in Kyrgyzstan after topping its Group B assignment. Continental progression connects domestic success with stronger Asian competition, giving the league another benchmark for measuring Philippine club development.
Continental Progress Raises Domestic Benchmark
Kaya’s ability to translate domestic dominance into continental progression strengthens the competitive standard facing other PWL programs. Exposure against stronger Asian clubs can also reveal tactical and physical requirements needed for sustained international competitiveness.
PWL Players Turn Attention Toward UAAP Season 89
FEU, La Salle, and UP will shift toward UAAP Season 89 after completing their PFF Women’s League campaigns. The collegiate football season begins September 12, creating a relatively short recovery and preparation window for several university-based players.
La Salle carries bronze-medal confidence while integrating lessons from players who received expanded responsibilities during the closing stretch. Moving between PWL and UAAP competition exposes young players to different tactical systems, opponents, and competitive demands.
Short Turnaround Tests Collegiate Preparations
A compressed transition between competitions places greater importance on recovery management while coaches prepare tactical adjustments for UAAP opponents. Recent competitive minutes should still provide valuable match sharpness for players returning quickly to their respective university programs.
Analytical Breakdown: Winning as a Complete Team
La Salle’s bronze-medal finish demonstrated the importance of squad depth when key players become unavailable during the closing stages of a competition. Players stepping into expanded roles maintained the team’s structure and secured the result needed to finish on the podium. Consistent contributions across the roster often determine success during demanding domestic campaigns.
The final standings also highlighted how the PFF Women’s League continues strengthening Philippine women’s football through meaningful competitive opportunities. Regular matches against different opponents help players refine tactical awareness before returning to collegiate competitions. That experience should benefit several squads as they prepare for another highly competitive UAAP football season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did La Salle finish in the 2026 PFF Women’s League?
De La Salle University finished third with seven points, securing the bronze medal after drawing 1-1 against UP.
Who scored La Salle’s goal against UP?
Chenny Dañoso scored La Salle’s equalizer from outside the box before halftime and finished the season with four goals.
Who won the 2026 PFF Women’s League championship?
Kaya FC-Iloilo captured its third consecutive PWL championship after finishing the season with 21 points.
Which team finished second in the PWL?
Far Eastern University earned the silver medal after completing its PFF Women’s League campaign with 12 points.
When does UAAP Season 89 football begin?
UAAP Season 89 is scheduled to open September 12, with La Salle, FEU, and UP returning to collegiate competition.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from Philippine Football Federation Website.
