With the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament on the radar, this season preview assesses 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. 

Enduring last season’s fifth-place finish, the AWFT looks to steer a hopeful turnaround in Season 88 with their promising pool of youngblood and experience from a series of successful preseason stints. As the Blue Eagles embraced the growing pains of Season 87, their grind mentality in the preseason may become their ticket to journey atop the UAAP summit. 

With a renewed focus, the Loyola-based squad entered the preseason looking to improve upon their lackluster performances last season. By scoring just once in the first round and three times in the second round of Season 87, the Blue Eagles’ offensive tally underscored the gap between them and their competitors.

This highlighted the need for crucial adjustments in the team’s in-field tactics. While Ateneo has made massive gains, like winning against the University of Santo Tomas, it was evident that Head Coach Robert Manlulo’s side had considerable work ahead of them.

Marking their 10th year short of a podium finish, the 1-1-6 win-draw-loss record in Season 87 opened opportunities for the Blue Eagles to reassess their approach and begin rebuilding the program from the ground up. Now, this program has come into its own in the recent months, readying itself for the Blue Eagles’ rise in Season 88.

While the Blue Eagles are set to start their UAAP journey with winless seasons, the team is putting those days behind them. With new recruits and rising star Jada Bicierro, the Blue and White look to emerge as dark horse contenders this upcoming season.

Season’s pledge 

Photo by River Elgincolin

Gabrielle: Despite their underwhelming placement in Season 87, the AWFT welcomed the preseason with nothing short of a champion’s mindset. Taking a long free fall in the UAAP has fueled the fire of the Blue Eagles, igniting successful preseason undertakings. This impressive showing translated into a championship title in the Women’s Open division of the 2025 Beach Hut Summer Football Festival and a bronze medal finish in the 2025 Ang Liga Filipina Invitational. 

The highly anticipated return of national athlete Bicierro has prompted exuberance in the team’s preseason preparations. Her pivotal role for the team was solidified after scoring the lone goal for gold in their final showdown against the Manila Nomads FC in the 2025 Beach Hut Summer Football Festival. In total, AWFT competed in six matches to win the championship title in the one-day tournament. 

Carrying over this newfound confidence, the Blue Eagles secured a 2-0 decisive victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the Ang Liga tournament. As perennial contenders in the UAAP, the bronze medal derby was a testament to Ateneo’s improving offensive line. Spearheaded by veterans Raya Tolentino and rookie Celina Salazar, the building of Ateneo’s brilliant play is deeply cemented, with the hopes of carrying this momentum to Season 88. 

Deemed as underdogs in the UAAP, the AWFT delivered an impressive showing in their preseason encounters to reassert their pact as a force to be reckoned with. 

Early risers

Photo by  CJ Ochoa

Laurence: With their impeccable showing in pre-season tournaments, the AWFT have put competitors on notice with their massive gains this offseason. One of the driving forces for their ascension to an Ang Liga podium finish was the Blue Eagles’ new recruits. In particular, freshmen Salazar and Sophia Lyttle added needed vigor to the Loyola-based squad. 

Dictating the pace of the game, Salazar showcased poise and patience despite being a rookie. Being one of the main midfielders for the Blue Eagles, she has produced moments of brilliance, hinting at a major role this UAAP season. One of these strokes of genius came against the UP Fighting Maroons, where she scored a looping goal outside the box to solidify a bronze finish.

Alongside Salazar, Lyttle has been a major factor in the success of the Blue Eagles this offseason. The national team winger showcased her blistering pace to create attacking chances for the Blue and White. Lyttle’s attacks down the flanks give ace striker Bicciero more room to operate within dangerous areas of the pitch.

With Salazar providing long passes and Lyttle attacking the wings, the freshman duo has provided Head Coach Robert Manlulo with additional firepower. Showcased through their preseason performances, Lyttle and Salazar are poised to be vital cogs in Coach Manlulo’s well-oiled machine this upcoming season. 

Revamped Spark

Photo by Karl Dimaculangan

Margaux: Season 87 saw a lapse in the offensive strategy of the Blue Eagles, forcing them to take the defensive route in most matches. However, as proven by their dispirited final standing, this tactic is not a sustainable winning formula for Ateneo. 

Despite utilizing a high press defensive program, the outcome of the season was driven by unfortunate scenarios, like 0-1 losses from last-minute goals and penalty shootouts in the first round. Veteran goalkeeper Chelssy Cassals remained at the frontline of this program, leading her to be named Player of the Match after securing a clean sheet in the second round of their game against the Fighting Maroons in Season 87. Although this gambit can have its upsides, there needs to be a balance with their offensive approach. 

In order to achieve greater success in the upcoming season, the Blue and White need to tie this together with Jada Bicierro’s unpredictable offense, which created multiple scoring opportunities for the Blue Eagles in the previous season.

Therefore, moving forward to preseason preparations for Season 88, the Blue Eagles focused on improving their offensive game plan, ensuring that they can dictate the pace of the game. The team’s determination to win, together with their star-studded lineup, has been a driving force behind their recent success. 

The Blue Eagles’ more offense-heavy strategy during their preseason campaign proved to be successful after they claimed victory over the Fighting Maroons in their Ang Liga stint. Slowly relearning how to take over the pace of the game in the previous seasons, the Blue and White has been gaining their momentum back from Season 78.

Star striker, Bicierro, struck eight goals throughout the tournament, powering the team to a bronze finish in their Ang Liga campaign. Her efforts were fueled by the relentless drive of the forwards in creating opportunities for the wingers, complemented by the heightened offensive contributions from the rest of the team.

Their achievements during their preseason run highlighted not only their effective offense but also their collective effort and perseverance. This success reflected major improvements from their UAAP Season 87 run, proving how their offensive edge will be their greatest asset moving into Season 88.

Upcoming games

Saturday, September 20, at 6:30 PM, vs. De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite.