With the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament on the radar, this midseason takeaways assess the current state of the Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) as they bid for a podium finish for the first time since UAAP Season 78.
THE ATENEO Blue Eagles concluded the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament with a 1-1-2 win-draw-loss record and a -4 goal difference, currently sitting in fourth place on the standings.
At the start of their campaign, the AWFT conceded to the Season 87 silver medalists De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters in a 0-1 defeat on September 20. The Blue Eagles then confronted reigning three-peat champions Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, suffering a 1-5 loss on September 27.
Adamant to gain points, the Ateneo prevailed over Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons after a 1-0 victory on October 1. Wrapping up the first round, the Loyola Heights-based team secured a 1-1 draw against the defending bronze medalists, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Booters, on October 4.
Prior to the second round kick-off, the AWFT is tied with the UST Lady Booters as both squads have four points on the board, but a -3 goal differential places Ateneo lower than the España-based team in the standings. Thus, as the Blue Eagles head into the crucial stages of the tournament, they must modify their on-field strategies to reach the summit of the UAAP podium.
The rule of thirds
Photo by Rhian Herrera
Jules: In photojournalism, the rule of thirds refers to the compositional guideline of dissecting an image with horizontal and vertical lines to produce nine invisible sections. With the goal of aligning the subject to the lines’ intersections, adherence to this principle entails the enhancement of a photo’s composition. Consequently, it results in a visually compelling and balanced image that narrates a story.
Such a rule can be applied to the football field, which is composed of three sections—the offensive, middle, and defensive thirds—areas that must be covered at all times by the Blue and White. However, in spite of a 4-1-4-1 formation, the Blue Eagles lack an effectively distributed composition of forwards, midfielders, and defenders to achieve victory against their opponents.
In their match against the Lady Tamaraws, Jada Bicierro scored a goal versus the tournament juggernauts. The veteran ace outmaneuvered the Green and Gold defenders through Ateneo’s offensive third, leading to one of the greatest accomplishments by the Blue Eagles on the pitch. However, the Blue and White had no response to FEU’s counterattack, which ultimately became their Achilles’ heel.
The Ateneo defenders and goalkeeper Sophia Gajitos failed to contain FEU’s aggressive offense, as the Lady Tamaraws utilized both flanks to assist their center forward, who converted goals within the box. From a 1-0 advantage to a 1-4 deficit, the Blue Eagle backline scrambled under the pressure, forcing the Blue and White midfielders to enter Ateneo’s defensive third in an attempt to salvage their defense.
On the other side of the field, star striker Bicierro constantly orchestrated Ateneo’s scoring opportunities, with either rookie Celina Salazar or veteran Angely Alferez on the wings to provide assists. However, in their contest against DLSU, their sweepers always halted Bicierro’s runs down the pitch, indicating a predictable offensive pattern. This limited the Blue Eagles’ offense to one forward, offering no variety to rattle their opponents.
Moreover, Ateneo’s midfielders lacked ball possession in their matches, at times getting intercepted in the middle third due to aggressive pressing by their opponents. Long-range shots towards the box became futile efforts, as the Blue Eagle forwards were out of reach or not in place. Such lapses elicited countless shots going beyond the touchline, which turned into throw-ins that favored their opponents.
Should the Blue and White desire to become medalists, they must evaluate their formation on the pitch. The defenders form a wall around the goalpost, the midfielders bridge the defensive and offensive thirds, and the forwards pierce through the center backs with full support from the wings. In this regard, Ateneo can establish a recalibrated strategy that effectively narrates victory at the final whistle.
The AWFT can attain balance where the Blue Eagles intersect on the field. In line with the rule of thirds, it can fortify their composition as a team, enhancing their tactical plays on all sections of the pitch. With one last round of matches, enforcing this principle can bring about a Blue and White uprising that can finally end a decade-long podium drought.
Magic in the mix
Photo courtesy of UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Gabrielle: Coming into the season with redefined success and significant adjustments from the Blue Eagles, the current standing in the pack exemplifies their chase for the highly coveted podium comeback. Their impressive first-round finish, a 1-1-2 win-draw-loss record, solidifies this claim of a better UAAP season.
The opening round of the season saw unwavering energy from the Katipunan-based squad, with the offense and defense lines showing more tactical and playful strategies. With a polished upkeep from veteran forward Bicierro and goalkeeper Chelssy Casals, the Blue Eagles are evidently putting in the work ignited during their successful preseason stints.
Ateneo effectively carried over the momentum from their Ang Liga bronze over UP to their post-season encounter with the same contenders. The Blue Eagles’ hard-fought victory against the UP Fighting Maroons became a testament to the team’s improving offensive and defensive wings. Bicierro secured the 1-0 advantage in the early frames of the second half. Yet, it was Casals’ defensive driving force that pressured UP’s offensive playbook. Her extensive efforts to defend the Blue Eagles’ nest are a result of the high press offensive tactics forwarded by the opposition. As Casals remained at the frontline of defense, this also symbolized the lack of coordination from her defenders, as mentioned by Jules.
However, newly found confidence, ignited from the victorious Battle of Katipunan, became the backbone of their succeeding draw match against the UST Lady Booters, 1-1. The nail-biting exchange of the Blue and the Gold tried and tested the winning formula of Ateneo. At the forefront of this favor were veterans Bicierro, Angely Alferez, and rookie Salazar, who spearheaded the promising chances of the Blue and White to the equalizer. As UST currently sits third on the team rankings of the tournament, this deadlock reasserts that Ateneo may emerge as a dark horse in Season 88.
Ateneo’s first round statements have proven that they are capable of translating their spirited offense and innovative defense strategies into competitive chemistry. In taking the leap of faith with these adjustments, the early rise of the Blue Eagles has already amplified their call towards major improvements from the previous season.
The Blue Eagles closed their Season 87 chapter with the same points tallied in Season 88’s first round alone. As they enter the second round of the league, radiating a quiet storm, the rising force of the Blue Eagles readies itself to make an ascent and shake up the UAAP pitch in the last stretch.
Upcoming games
Saturday, October 11, at 6:30 PM, vs. UST Lady Booters at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City
Saturday, October 18, at 6:30 PM, vs. UP Fighting Maroons at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City
Current Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws – 12 (+10)
- DLSU Lady Booters – 9 (+3)
- UST Lady Booters – 4 (-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 4 (-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 0 (-8)
