Coming off drastic changes in their system—particularly in coaching, tactics and gameplay—the Ateneo Lady Booters got their UAAP Season 74 football campaign up and running last January 14. At the middle mark, the women’s team is ranked fifth with a 0-2-2 win-loss-draw record.
The Lady Booters exhibited a mixed performance in the first four games, with their first two ending in a scoreless draws against La Salle and FEU, while their last two ended in big losses against league-leading UST and UP, with scores of 0-4 and 1-3 respectively.
New system
Doing away with their old “pinball” system, as skipper Inez Achacoso put it, the ladies in blue under head coach Bob Manlulo now display a better tempo on the pitch, focusing on good control and execution.
Despite this new system, the Lady Booters lacked that one factor pivotal in any football team: finishing. Ateneo failed to find that finishing blow and has so far only scored a solitary goal this season—against UP on the final day of the round. However, the Lady Booters did show glimpses of offensive brilliance, particularly in the match against the Diliman-based squad. Fortune was not on their side, though, as their chances did not translate into goals.
Meanwhile, their defense has proven to be commendable. This was exhibited in their first two games, which provided Ateneo with clean sheets. The back four contingent, composed of right back Marie Cadayona and center backs Achacoso and Milka Romero, made life difficult for opposing strikers.
The dilemma
In their last two games, however, Romero was withdrawn early in the first and was reverted to striker in the second, disrupting the solid Achacoso–Romero partnership. The latter decision was made by Coach Manlulo, who took note of their lack of finishing and attempted to provide some sting in their attack.
Although the change did provide an attacking option, it seemed to have left the defense compromised. In the two losses, Ateneo was 1-0 down when Romero was taken out of the defense. Coincidence or not, the Lady Booters would go on to concede more than one goal then subsequently lose after the change.
This now presents quite a conundrum for Coach Manlulo: either he keeps his defense intact or risk getting scored on.
Needless to say, the defense can hardly function without Romero. Achacoso possesses excellent tactical awareness and easily detects danger, while Cadayona’s aggressiveness smothers wingers. The X factor, however, is the partnership in the middle of the defense. Center backs should have contrasting styles of play: one a carefree, do-anything-to-get-the-ball type and the other, tactically sound and good with possession. Put those together, add in good chemistry, and you have yourself the perfect central defense.
Luckily enough, Coach Manlulo managed to form just that, but the persisting offensive woes prompted the football program head to try other combinations.
Nowhere to go but up
Ateneo is endowed with some good midfield options, such as Yvette Gaston, who has scored the only goal so far. Hopefully, the women’s team would find that spark in the second round. From then on, a consistent offense coupled with the team’s stellar defense would enable Ateneo to contend even for a podium finish.
The first round may be done, but the season is far from over. The Lady Booters have everything to gain. Without a doubt, they will fight to overcome these challenges as a team, returning to the pitch to battle or the blue and white.
