By AJ Alarcon

The Ateneo Girl’s Basketball Team returned to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) court, this time starting on the familiar floors of the Blue Eagle Gym. With preseason victories behind them and a fierce tournament ahead, Team Captain Matia Molina anticipates a more positive and focused Season 88, which opened on Sunday, January 11.

Their recent successes this athletic year in their Akari Under-16 Girls’ Basketball Invitational and the Athletic and Sports Association of Private Schools–Quezon City (ASAPS-QC) stints give the team a head start on momentum.

Molina stated, “It gave us experience and showed us where we have already improved, but it also taught us what more we have to do.”

However, with Season 87 being one that put them through battles both on and off the court, the team acknowledges, “We know the UAAP is a whole other level compared to other leagues we’ve played in.”

The young captain added, “The whole experience was really overwhelming for the team. Our mentality and morale were swayed throughout the season. This season, our team’s mentality has changed to focus more on what we improved on and on reaching the smaller goals we set for ourselves.”

So when they faced the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups to open the season, the Blue and White team stood with courage.

As a result, Tyler Templo churned out 11 points and four rebounds; Cheska Gozum contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds; Molina chipped in 5 points and 3 rebounds; and Kairi Ebao added 4 points and 2 rebounds.

Even when the Lady Bullpups forced them to chase the ball across both sides of the court and congest the paint, the team did not falter during their 29–155 loss.

With mere seconds left in the game, Molina drove closer to the basket and released a shot from outside the perimeter — a shot that added three more points to their tally, a shot that showed passion and grit amid difficult circumstances, and a shot that proved the team is staying to fight.

Now awaiting their next opponent, Molina expressed, “Despite the results last year and whatever the outcome will be … I hope that we carry this mindset and fight all season long.”

On Sunday, January 18, the Blue Eagles will next challenge the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs on their home court. And Ateneo can expect a team of young student-athletes who will give their best until the last tick of the shot clock.