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AdNU Women's Futsal Team leads delegation, clinches runner-up finish at JAM 2025
By Anyanna Mariae Sabio • February 21, 2025
Ateneo de Naga University joined four other Jesuit institutions in the Jesuit Athletics Meet (JAM) 2025, held from 29 January to 1 February at Ateneo de Manila University. Leading AdNU’s campaign, the Women’s Futsal Team delivered a strong showing performance, earning their way to secure a first runner-up finish in the tournament.
Graduating team captain April Rose Ricafrente rendered crucial goals for the team, scoring in the championship match against AdMU and seizing the decisive point in their intense showdown against AdDU.
Although the game against the Katipunan-based squad was expected to be tough, the Golden Knights remained hopeful about putting up a strong fight. "Ang goal namin ay maka-score, close fight lang, at mabigyan yung AdMU ng magandang laro," Ricafrente shared in an interview when asked about their mindset during the championship game. Forward Eunice Fuentes also added that teamwork had been the key ingredient in their journey to the finals.
Before their championship bout against AdMU, the team progressed through the elimination round facing off against the formidable team from Xavier University, finishing strong with a 5-3 record. However, the Golden Knights faced a difficult battle against AdZU, concluding with a hard-fought 3-3 draw in their second game, followed by a heavy 13-2 loss at the hands of AdMU.
The match against the AdDU Blue Knights decided the fate for AdNU. With less than two minutes remaining, Ricafrente led the Golden Knights' offense, exploiting a defensive loophole to break the deadlock and take a 1-0 lead, to earn their spot in the finals.
Preparing for JAM 2025 was not easy, as the team had only a few weeks. The initial training program focused on improving stamina and team play through several drills. In the weeks leading up to JAM, their training shifted toward strengthening on-court chemistry to elevate the team’s overall performance.
“Commitment na rin and responsibility, kasi nung bakasyon imbes [na] mag-spend ka pa ng time with your family or magpahinga ka, kailangan mo mag-commit kasi pinasok mo ‘to and isa ka sa selected,” shared Golden Knights Forward Kriscel Rodulfo as the team dedicated themselves to tournament preparations. To maximize their time, they trained from 4:30 in the afternoon until 9:00 in the evening, and made some adjustments regarding the schedule to still ensure the balance between academics and sports.
“Yung collective struggle before the games fueled the result we got sa experience namin,” Fuentes highlighted as the student-athletes encountered several mishaps and unwanted circumstances in the accommodation and transportation. Despite the challenges, the tournament ultimately fulfilled the objectives set for establishing JAM. “That’s one of the beauty talaga ng futsal na during the game lahat tayo nasa laro pero after the game we’re all players, we’re all friends, and we’re all Ateneans,” she added.
With this fruitful achievement, the team hopes to create more opportunities to promote the sport, both in the university and in the broader community. This also strengthened the calls for support, recognition, and attention to futsal, with doors open to interested students who want to join and contribute to the growth of the program at AdNU.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights proudly competed in other events such as Men’s basketball, Women’s 3x3 basketball, Women’s volleyball, and Men’s football, earning 4th place in their respective events, while 5th for Men’s volleyball.
Designed to foster character, camaraderie, and a deeper connection to Ignatian values, JAM is a biennial tournament that provides a competitive yet enriching environment for student-athletes from Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), and Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan (XU).
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