Pakigbisog: An exhibition of endurance and stamina in Women’s Football

The third game could’ve been a chance for redemption for the PTOT Spartans as they face off against the equally valiant MT Vikings. Speculating an improved strategy in countering the opponent by the Spartans, nevertheless, resulted in the Vikings gaining the upper hand instead in the competition with an incredible “2-in-1’ goal exhibited by one of their midfielders. But even with a severe beating, the Spartans in the bleachers above gave their utmost support for their team, despite having the game ending with a score of 0-2 favor of the Vikings.

The fourth game this time between the already valiant Nursing Blue Knights and the underdog CAS Titans, the latter facing multiple beatings from what would be described as a “David vs. Goliath” moment. Eventually gaining another victory for the Nursing Blue Knights with a score of 0-2 in their favor.

The 2nd to the last game came as the battle for the 3rd Place. Here, both underdogs, the CAS Titans and the PTOT Spartans face off against each other, with the latter team scoring their first and only goal of the games, with no other goal following as both teams eventually matching up with each other’s power. The sole goal of the game seals the Spartans’ position of third place for the games with the score of 0-1 in their favor.

Soccer, also known as football in some countries, is one of the world’s oldest and the most famous sport. Well known, and played in almost every country, it is no doubt a well enjoyed game and even a hobby to many people here in the country, even gaining more popularity in the last decade with the formation of our first national football team, though its history dates back a century earlier.

Primarily a sport dominated by men players, women have been given the opportunity to make their marks in the sport since the creation of the Philippine Ladies’ Football Association in the early 1980s. Eventually, the nation had its first Women’s League in 2016.

As an institution that honors and practices Human Suffrage, both men and women are given the opportunity to exhibit their capabilities in strength, stamina, and endurance, and no other event celebrates this feat than the school’s annual Intramurals, with this year marking the school’s second in the post-pandemic era.

This year’s games joined 8 others that feature both joint and separate categories for Men and Women.

Taking place on the 2nd day of the Intramurals, October 19th, at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex along with the Men’s Category for Soccer, and Flag Football, with the temperatures that day recorded at a searing 32-degrees.

Kicking off with the game between the MT Vikings and the CAS Titans which secured two goals in the first half from the Vikings, and later the first injury which resulted from one of the players suffering a cramp. Nevertheless, the game dragged on with an impressive display of defense from both teams, eventually ending with the score of 2-0 in favor of the Vikings.

The second game began at almost midday, this time between the PTOT Spartans and the Nursing Blue Knight. It was here in this game that this year’s MVP for the women’s category exhibited her impressive first moves by braving the stiff resistance of the Spartans, and in return the Spartans also showed of their wit and cunningness with the exhibition of a stiff resistance against the constant pounding of the Blue Knights. The game ended however with the score of 0-3 in favor of the Blue Knights.

Finally, the Championship game between both Alphas of the game, the MT Vikings and the Nursing Blue Knights with intense anticipation and support from both teams’ departments. The first half exhibited the sheer strength, defense, and power of both teams as they tried to outscore each other, of which to no avail even up until the end of the second half.

Therefore, the game resulted to a penalty kick, an endurance test for each other team’s goalkeepers and a test of power and smarts for the shooter. Here both teams eventually earn their scores through a few goals and saves until eventually, one save from the Blue Knights’ goalkeeper seals their position as the champions of the Women’s category, to such jubilation from the audience above.