Belay Fernando insists it isn’t about unfinished business regarding playing out her final year of eligibility for the Ateneo Women’s Football Team. The loss to La Salle that eliminated them from championship contention elicited raw emotions after the match and as a result, many like Fernando said that they weren’t coming back.
Time heals all wounds.
Apparently even broken hearts.
A part of the early fall out from the loss was the coaching staff of Buda Bautista and Karen Cacho. With a team in somewhat of a rebuilding phase and in need of leadership, the pair came back. Whether for one last go-around is anyone’s guess because what is important is their return guarantees continuity of the program and the system in place. The two have conspired to end those dreary days of Ateneo women’s football and last year, their efforts paid off. Previously, the Lady Eagles found it hard to clear the ball on their side of the field much less attempt a shot on goal. With the players maturing and getting better, they went on the offensive and they soon found the back of the opposing net with increasing regularity.
With the coaching staff back, Fernando thought that newly appointed team captain Samantha Santiago was going to need some help and so she decided to come back.
In one’s final playing year, a lot has to be measured. “I was going to give up a lot by coming back,” explained the defender. “It was a difficult decision. But I am at peace with it and am happy to be wearing blue one more time.”
Time not only heals wounds but it gives people an opportunity to set the record straight.
When the team takes the pitch this year, for all the inroads in Ateneo Women’s Football, they aren’t even given a snowball’s chance in hell to replicate their success in Season 71. La Salle is the heavy favorite notwithstanding the presence of FEU, the defending champs. And then there is UST, the team’s first assignment.
During the past year, Ateneo drew both their matches with the Lady Tigresses. “I can’t wait to play them,” admits Cristina Garcia who is tagged to provide some scoring punch in her final year. ‘It’s a big test for us.”
When you play for Buda Bautista know that she’s not long on tests. “It’s all about playing with a winning form and attitude,” she explained. “Skills can be learned but what you must decide for yourself is giving your best and playing hard at all times.”
Even with the return of its seniors minus a few, it didn’t exactly make for a seamless transition. The team had been playing a flat 4-4-2 formation for some time now to best make use of its available talent. But to all the more protect their goal (now tended to by Krissie Drilon who will pull double varsity duty with the softball team) added a new wrinkle in their defense as the back four was adjusted to a sweeper-stopper formation.
“At first we wondered why since we felt that the change was too late in our preparations. But after a while, it clicked and I went like, ‘Oh, yeah.’” smiled Fernandez. “That’s why she’s (Bautista) is the coach.”
The team boasts none of the athletes or skilled players of the other squads so the Lady Booters are tasked to play good defense, to conserve their energy and to use an economy of movement.
“Coach wants us veterans to play with a lot of smarts and heart to contaminate everyone with our enthusiasm,” adds Garcia who admits to being more relaxed and on target when she doesn’t think about scoring. “Last year was last year but this time around… we have a chance to make things better. It’s not easy because a lot more is expected now of us, but at least we have a chance.”
Time heals all wounds.
Even for the injured like Alice De La Peña.
Garcia’s words are loaded for they lost leading scorer Alice de La Peña to a knee injury in the off-season. “It really is frustrating,” lamented the striker. “After last season ended, I couldn’t wait enough for the new one to begin then this happens. I know I can contribute. So what I can do now is just assist the coaches in practice and play cheerleader. I waited for a whole year – what’s another?”
As much as Fernando and Garcia wish their injured teammate were in harness, they admit they have to move on and think about the season. They will all have to raise their individual and collective games in the face of such difficult odds.
“We’ll certainly try to get to a position where we can challenge for the championship,” summed up Fernando who like Garcia has been counting down the weeks and days to the opening on Sunday January 18. “As we like to say, ‘first to the ball, last one to quit.’
And now… it’s time.
To put the ball on the pitch. And in the back of the net.
The 2008-09 Ateneo Lady Booters:
Achacoso, Inez Camille P.
Alcantara, Nikki Loren L.
Bravo, Pamela Rosario V.
Cabrera, Shim Ann T.
Casas, Kirsten Erika A.
Chan, Marie Angelica A.
Drilon, Kristine Marie D.
Fermin, Doreen Grace A.
Fernando, Isabella M.
Garcia, Ma. Cristina J.
Gaston, Yvette Marie C.
Gutierrez, Francesca R.
Jacinto, Marygold N.
Jose, Ma. Venica I.
Misa, Angelica Bella B.
Puno, Railla Veronica D.
Santiago, Samantha Ann B.
Tanjangco, Ma. Regina V.
Tantuico, Kathleen D.
Yu, Jovannah C.
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