Men’s football: a matter of trust
With the championship defeat to FEU two years ago, a fifth place finish last year, and the departures of last season’s leading scorer (Alejandro Rivera) and Rookie of the Year (Miko Manglapus) this year, the Ateneo Blue Booters have definitely had a difficult couple of seasons. But things are starting to look up for the once three-peat champs.
Armored with a pool of rookies and a new-found trust, the Blue Booters enter season 72 with more talent, more cohesion, and with more determination to return to their winning ways.
Tactical aspects aside, Anton Amistoso emphasized trust as the team’s key improvement. “[It’s] our team motto,” the second year veteran and striker for the Blue Booters says. “On the field you need trust to pass the ball around. Last year that’s what we were lacking. Sometimes you don’t want to pass the ball back because you’re scared [your teammate] might fail,” he adds.
With most opposing UAAP squads unchanged—namely last year’s champions UP and consistent championship contenders FEU—the Blue Booters are one of two teams (the other being DLSU) that are rebuilding. But with a talented crop of rookies with heart and the ability to take control, Amistoso believes that this year’s rookies are the key in catalyzing the process.
“[This season] we’re younger and smaller, but we’re actually tougher. We’re like the underdogs.” Amistoso says.
And if you know sports history, one should never rule out the underdog.
Women’s football: rookie spirit
Two seniors, three sophomores, and six rookies will most likely be the starting eleven of the Lady Booters this season. But don’t be deceived by the squad’s youth. Monica Santos, captain of the Lady Booters, says, “This year, our team is very skilled; technical wise and skillfully wise.”
The addition of ten new rookies seems to have rejuvenated the Lady Booters from last year’s injury-plagued season. Compared to the last few years, the Lady Booters’ captain says, “this year is the most number of rookies on the starting eleven.”
Nevertheless, aside from their obvious technical ability, the rookies bring a sense of determination, enthusiasm, and passion for football, which is infectious. Sophomore Erika Casas points out that the teams’ youth and relative age has improved the team dynamic.
With an early summer training regimen and emphasis on field training, the Lady Booters’ hard work during the pre-season is starting to take effect. “At the start of the school year we had a game against FEU, the score was 7-1. Last Saturday the score was 1-0,” rookie Nixie Garcia says.
The team may not be as gelled together due to their youth, but Santos says, “[we] can expect a more skillful, hard working team with the potential to go far.”
