SHOWING GRIT AND determination in added time, the San Beda Red Booters emerged victorious against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Strikers, 1-0, in the 99th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), claiming the Men’s Football championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last March 11.
With both teams struggling to score the whole game, the Red Booters faced defensive challenges against the Benilde Strikers.
After his heroics in the last game of the elimination round, Team Captain Eldwin Escosora was unable to join his team for this game due to an injury. Giving his own assessment of the team’s performance at halftime, he said that the Red Booters needed to “concentrate.” “Kailangan lang nilang mag-concentrate at sumunod sa plano ng mga coaches kasi minsan nawawala sila sa concentration gawa ng parang pagpapadala sila sa init ng ulo, sa crowd, sa ingay,” he observed.
After an entire game of exchanging goal attempts, in a calm flick, Amir Aningalan ended an impending draw and propelled his team to secure the championship crown once more.
Having been able to score, he described his experience as “sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam,” recounting the number of years the Red Booters spent in preparation for the Season 99.
Completely doused after an interview and appearing spirited, Coach Nhiboy Pedimonte said this championship was a bonus. “Noong nalaman namin na may magkakaroon ng NCAA, we’re very happy. Bonus nalang talaga ‘yung championship,” he told The Bedan.
Happy and proud for the athletes under his tutelage, he said, “…congratulations. They deserve it…”
Among the crowd of Bedans who were in attendance were fellow athletes from other teams, including players from the Red Lions, who also nabbed their own NCAA crown last December 2023, as well their head coach, Yuri Escueta.
With that, the Red Booters stayed undefeated and finished Season 99 with flying colors. After over four seasons of not seeing any play in the pitch, the Red Booters were successful in retaining their NCAA Football Championship won back in season 94.
The team captain, Escosora, was awarded as Best Defender, Kirk Eman See as Best Striker and Rookie of the Year, Kirvy Tabelin as Freshman of the Year, John Betanio as Best Goalkeeper, and Aningalan, the man who secured the team’s victory, was dubbed as the Finals MVP for Season 99.