Leading a winless team with a lackluster midfield game since the return of UAAP football from the pandemic is no easy task for Ateneo’s veteran playmaker KC Zalamea.
However, things seemed to have radically shifted back to its proper order for the blue and white in the second half of their Katipunan derby against the University of the Philippines on Saturday’s UAAP women’s football tourney.
Zalamea not only scored an opportunistic early goal, but facilitated Ateneo’s sudden surge in possessions in the second half, which led to better chances on offense that ultimately led to an Angely Alferez penalty goal off a Jennifer Baroin foul inside the box in the 76th minute.
“I’m so proud of the team because I know how hard we’ve been working for it, how long we’ve been waiting for the point,” Zalamea told Fullcourtfresh.com after the game.
“We failed score a point last year so coming to this season, we definitely had something to prove, especially coming from a huge loss last game, we really wanted to show everyone na we’re here to compete,” the senior explained, alluding to their 0-8 loss against defending champions Far Eastern University last week.
True enough, despite such embarrassment, the Lady Eagles has instantly surpassed their scoring output from Season 85—a lone goal from Traci Lim in their final game—with two against last year’s bronze medalists.
“That’s not how Ateneo plays; this is how Ateneo plays,” she continued. “The goals are such a huge thing for us and hopefully we can build on this one and get that first win.”
Her long-time coach Bob Manlulo had nothing but praise for his prized ward.
“She has a better command of the players, where to get the ball, and where to get her teammates to move,” Manlulo said.
“She has been playing for me for the past 12 years. I know she can play much more than that and we can do magic for this team,” he concluded.
Zalamea and the Lady Eagles are raring to get their first win in five years as they will face winless University of Santo Tomas for their first round closer next Saturday.
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