Season 79 Recap

There was distinct optimism surrounding the Ateneo Lady Eagles as they opened their campaign last season against the perennial runner-up University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses. After going winless in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 77, they picked up a pair of wins the following year, one of which was against the exact UST team that stood right in front of them.

Ateneo’s aura of hope shone brightly past the bottom of the ninth, the team losing by two runs after trailing at 0-5 early in the game. The underdogs played with nothing to lose, battling tooth and nail against the powerhouse Lady Tigresses, even giving them a scare after pulling off a rally that nearly turned the tables. After the game, the entire team and coaching staff were all smiles, and the opener served as a major moral victory for the Lady Eagles.

But moral victories eventually just begin to feel like plain losses, which the Lady Eagles learned the hard way as the team fell into a slump. Five of the team’s 11 losses were concluded in deficits of two runs or fewer, with the girls often times faltering in tense situations due to mental lapses on defense, made even worse by dry spells at the plate.

Ateneo’s other losses were not easy pills to swallow either. Five of those defeats ended in mercy rule, and the only other loss they suffered came in a 0-7 shutout against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Eagles were either getting run off the field or being taunted with false hope in close defeats. There was no in-between for the Blue and White in what turned out to be a dozen disheartening games in Season 79. They finished with a 1-11 record, made even more demoralizing  by the fact that no other team finished with fewer than four victories.

Key to success in UAAP Season 80: Mental Toughness

Amidst the trying season that was UAAP Season 79, there was a bright spot provided by Ateneo’s singular victory. This win came in a thriller over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, which saw the Lady Eagles win by one run in extra innings. Clutch performances from numerous players fueled a comeback from a two-run setback in the seventh inning to force the extension. This was enough of a spark to boost them over the hump, allowing the ladies to escape with a 6-5 win.

Ateneo was able to pick up the win largely because they believed they could, keeping themselves in the game long enough to never lose that mindset. In most of their losses, the Lady Eagles faltered after falling into early deficits, getting shaky at the plate after seeing teammates struggle as well. During their closer defeats, they cracked under pressure, especially when the leadoff hitters of the latter innings would get picked off. Fielding became a problem as well, as routine catches were botched and simple throws overshot due to the nerves.

Despite not being around last season, new Assistant Coach Joy Lasquite is aware of the team’s biggest issue. “The problem talaga that can affect them is mentally, [when they] think too much,” she says. “Nahihila sila nang sobrang pag-iisip kaya ‘yung performance nila nawawala (They begin to think too much so their performance on the field is affected).”

Most of the members of the team have shown flashes of respectability on the plate, evidenced by the six runs they scored against UE, and in their loss to UP during the season finale where they brought in four runs. Overall, though, there were definite struggles for the Lady Eagles on offense last season due to inconsistency from their hitters, especially from the bottom half of the batting order. Slugger Nicki Borromeo and UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year Jill San Juan were two of the more notable contributors on offense, but even they underwent significant lulls during crucial points of the season. It also hurt that Team Captain Bea Parma struggled while dealing with and playing through a finger fracture.

However, the players are aware of the fact that their struggles are still largely due to the mental side of the sport. “Everyone in the team can hit, but our problems are mostly personal like, sometimes we get too nervous or we overthink our batting especially when we are in a slump,” says Borromeo about her team’s struggles.

The fielding errors also piled up in Season 79, which further pulled down the team’s morale as the tournament progressed. According to Lasquite, communication on the field is the concrete solution, but she also believes that a mentality shift is needed for the Lady Eagles to improve.

“Ang error kasi nandiyan lang ‘yan eh, we’re not perfect din eh. But if you get an error, you need to think back again na kailangan mo bumawi. (Errors are just there, we’re not perfect. But if you get an error, you need to think back again that you have to make up for it).”

Biggest Strength: Pitching

Borromeo and Kevyn Lacson are a capable duo who will likely handle most of the duties from the mound this year. While neither has yet to elevate their game to the level of the elite pitchers of the UAAP, the former has the veteran know-how to succeed in the league, while the latter beams with potential.

Lacson was unable to pick up her first win in her rookie year last season, but started off strong and was huge factor in keeping Ateneo close in their first few matches. After representing the country in the PONY International 18-U World Series in the United States back in July, the sophomore has the opportunity to carry the Lady Eagles in what could be another breakout campaign.

Meanwhile, Borromeo plays double duty as the team’s most consistent hitter and as a reliable pitcher. After the departure of Team Captain Ira Nevalga, who threw the winning strikeout in the Lady Eagles’ solo win last year, Borromeo has to become the team’s veteran presence as the head of the defense. In the event that Lacson’s inexperience shows, Borromeo will have to provide the calming presence to maintain the team’s composure for the full seven innings.

Luckily, the senior seems prepared as her long softball career has allowed her to improve her game. “I think one of my strengths as a pitcher is my ability to keep my composure on the mound. I used to take all the hits off me to heart and it would really show on my face when I am frustrated, but now, I have learned to keep my emotions at bay,” Borromeo says.

While the team may not have the deepest depth in the bullpen, they at least can trot out two capable pitchers to challenge opposing offenses. Throw Junior Kaira Ventosa into the mix, and Ateneo has a decent trio to ride with this season. There is definitely room to grow for the three, but the mound may just be the spot where the Lady Eagles can beam with optimism as they enter the new season.

Major Change: Assistant Coach Joy Lasquite

The biggest change for the Lady Eagles in the upcoming UAAP season is the addition of new Assistant Coach Mary Joy Lasquite, who replaces last season’s assistant coach Dione Macasu. Lasquite had recently finished coaching in both Singapore and Jakarta, before returning to the Philippines to help out Head Coach Randy Dizer with the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

Lasquite provides a warm presence for the Lady Eagles, many of whom she is already familiar with due to her time as a coach for the PAREF Woodrose High School team (There are nine Woodrose alumni on the team). Her resume also includes a coaching stint with the UE Lady Warriors, which gives her important experience in handling college-level athletes.

“I can really relate with the players, especially with my experience with a lot of the players that I’d handled [before]…Ang usapan namin sa team, parang magkabarkada lang kami while training (When we talk as a team, it’s just like we’re a group of friends while training).”

From a technical standpoint, Lasquite is committed to building from the ground up with the struggling Lady Eagles. She began the team’s offseason by reverting back to the basics of softball, tinkering with players’ forms to improve hitting and help lessen fielding errors.

While the season has yet to begin, Lasquite is already receiving great reviews from her players, with Lacson saying, “She’s so committed…We definitely became more disciplined and productive this season.”

Worth Watching: The Outfield

The outfield was quietly effective in Season 79. The center and right flanks were handled fairly well by this year’s captains Bea Parma and Kat Villa-Real, respectively. Fresh graduate Clarisse Dacanay started most of the games at left field, but struggled with errors on routine fly balls throughout the season.

This year, there are a bunch of capable pieces to replace Dacanay, as well as rotate with the two captains. Veteran Abby Gutierrez has the opportunity to prove herself with extended playing time this year after going in and out of the lineup last season. Speedster Noelle Dela Cruz made a few big plays during the team’s close lose to UST in the opener, and can stabilize the outfield with some mental improvements. Woodrose standout Lucia Lorenzo is another option to play in the outfield, though her much-awaited debut will have to wait another game as she’s set to miss Thursday’s game due to flu-like symptoms.

With a pair of consistent veterans in tow, as well as an array of options available, expect to see strong play from the team’s outfielders. The Lady Eagles’ bullpen can rest a little easier knowing their last line of defense can make up for any miscues on the mound.

First Round Schedule

All games played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium

February 1, Thursday, 9:00 AM vs UST Lady Tigresses

February 3, Saturday, 12:00 NN vs UP Lady Maroons

February 5, Monday, 12:00 NN vs UE Lady Warriors

February 8, Thursday, 1:00 PM vs AdU Lady Falcons

February 10, Saturday, 11:00 AM vs NU Lady Bulldogs

February 12, Monday,  9:00 AM vs DLSU Lady Archers