Red Booters: We’re Going For Three-Peat

Retaining the title seems to be the toughest thing to do, but the San Beda Red Booters beg to differ as they set their sights on another grand slam championship in the upcoming NCAA football season.

Last season, the Red Booters swept the eliminations with an 8-0 slate, but the drive back to the Promised Land won’t be smooth for the Bedan brigade as their football counterparts are determined to block the road to an elusive three-peat title.

San Beda will tackle a much tougher hurdle as it faces six collegiate football teams in this year’s NCAA football derby.

The Mendiola XI will once again face Emilio Aguinaldo College, last season’s runner-up, and Arellano University, the reigning Ang Liga champion.

Appended to the seven-team tourney is College of Saint Benilde (CSB), San Beda’s longstanding rival in football. It is expected that the CSB Blazers will go for vindication this year after their first amiss to clinch either of the top two slots last season.

The other participating teams include University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, Lyceum of the Philippines University and the returning Mapua Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Jose Rizal University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran will not be joining again this year’s soccer competition.

According to assistant coach Jeffrey “Pong” Liman, prime and expertise of the veterans in the roster will pull the chances of the Red-and-White troop in their championship campaign.

“We still have a very experienced line-up if you would compare it to last season’s line-up. If we’re going for three-peat, this is the right combination to win the title,” he said.

With the departure of Frandee Sumudivilla and Paul Concepcion, the experienced trio of Nhiboy Pedimonte, Ali Baldo and Jon Aaron Carlos will shoulder the leadership responsibilities to catapult them back to the champion’s platform.

With mainstays Raffy Cabug, Shaun Soberano and Reymart Galacio at the aid of the Bedan ensemble, the Red Booters will be able to deliver the necessary firepower in their scoring threats.

Another familiar face will be seen in action this coming NCAA football season as Dingdong Fornea once again dons the colors of the Benedictine school. He missed last year’s competition due to his participation in the National team.

Anthony Albao, the goalie of the Philippine U-22 squad, will also be back to avail the goalkeeping services, along with Michael Yuvienco as the second keeper.

In addition, the tenderfoot troika of Ed Walohan, Ashley Flores and Miguel Caindec is anticipated to ignite the frontline unit of the San Beda legion.

Liman, who is a former Red Booter and player of head coach Aris Caslib, said that the squad will stick to the diamond play as inspired by the head mentor, in sync with their signature counter attacks.

Furthermore, he revealed that the Red Booters went the extra mile to build a new arsenal tasked of stopping the rampage of their antagonists in the football field.

“We’re still going to play what Coach Aris has taught us, but we worked with our aggressiveness and stamina this time. Those were our problems when we reach the final stretch of the game. If we want to seal the deal, we must come out with a more convincing type of play,” he said.

Liman will not promise a sweep like last two seasons of the NCAA, but he assures the Bedan community that the proud footballers from Mendiola will sport their best foot and play with the heart of a true lion.

“You will never know what will happen, so I can’t really predict or promise that we can get the title by sweeping the tournament again. Every team wants a shot of the title. For sure, our team will never back down,” he ended.

The opening ceremonies of the 88th NCAA football season will be held at the PhilSports Arena, also known as ULTRA, on January 19, Saturday.

On the other hand, San Beda’s first game will be against the Mapua Cardinals on January 21 at the ASCOM football field in Taguig City.

article by: Nissi Icasiano