OFFICIALLY BANNERING the Blue and White for the first time since 2020, the Ateneo Talons Flag Football Team battled formidable competition from across the nation at the Guerrilla Cup: The Resurgence tournament.
Slotted into Pool B, the Katipunan-based unit competed against five other teams from January 11 to 12 at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City. This event marked Ateneo’s return to competitive flag football after the reinstatement of the Ateneo Sports Club Sector, which allowed the Talons to represent the University.
In fitting rivalry fashion, Ateneo squared off against the De La Salle University Tyrants in their first taste of competitive flag football in the post-COVID era. Despite seeking to kick into triumphant gear in early Pool B action, the Talons fell flat against the Tyrants, as their defense surrendered four receiving touchdowns in an 8-32 defeat.
Ateneo refused to let the taste of their opening setback linger, as they engaged in a tight duel against Team DX in their second assignment. While the opposition made big offensive and defensive plays, the Talons negated their efforts by converting critical opportunities of their own. Piloted by Team Captain and quarterback Carlos Aoanan’s four touchdowns and defensive backs Cody Pe and Juan Escueta’s two combined interceptions, Ateneo emerged triumphant in a dramatic one-score game, 28-21.
Just a few hours after their breakthrough victory, the Talons were sent crashing back to earth by the Panthers Flag Football Team in their final match of day one. Ateneo had zero answers for the Panthers—a battle-tested squad with experience at the international level—in a wire-to-wire 0-43 shutout.
The Talons looked to generate better results on day two of pool play, especially with a playoff spot still within reach. However, Ateneo failed to overcome the Cebu Ravens and the University of Santo Tomas Hounds in back-to-back lopsided losses that capped their Pool B campaign at fifth.
Following their two-day campaign, Aonan reflected on the Talons’ Guerrilla Cup experience, citing that the team’s biggest hurdle was adjusting to the tournament atmosphere. However, rather than being buried by the pressure, Ateneo accepted the trial head-on.
“Despite the uphill challenge and difference in experience, we took each match with an intention to win and most importantly, to learn,” the skipper shared.
Aonan also recounted the morale boost from their win over Team DX and shared how the team discovered a newfound sense of direction for future competitions.
“We also want to improve our consistency and effort not just in tournaments but also [in] training, intending to get one percent better each day. For this team with a solid core of captains and exceptional rookies, the only path for this team is up,” the quarterback declared.
With the conclusion of their Guerrilla Cup stint, the Talons will now undoubtedly sharpen themselves for greater horizons in future flag football competitions.
