DESPITE MULTIPLE blows to their starting eleven, the new-look Ateneo Women’s Football Team hopes to begin rebuilding their program and gain some much-needed experience in UAAP Season 85.

After a promising start to their preseason run in the The Philippine Football Federation Women’s Cup, the team’s key starters—Chelssy Casals, Vanessa Angeles, and Tea Roxas—succumbed to major injuries. These losses eventually led to uncertainty for the upcoming UAAP season.

Amid these setbacks, Head Coach Robert Manlulo shared that this will be a chance for rookie standouts KC Zalamea, Traci Lim, Astrid Ignacio, and Gabbie Tuaño to bring their national team experience to the Blue and White. “We’re trying to compose whatever talent is left and give our best,” Coach Manlulo added.

As one of the few remaining members from the abruptly-canceled Season 82, Team Captain Patty Francisco is simply grateful for the team’s opportunity to showcase their talent. “Gusto namin na makabawi from Season 82 at ipakita sa iba na mas kaya namin ngayon (We want to bounce back from Season 82 and show that we can do better this time),” Francisco shared.