HAILED AS CHAMPIONS once more, the San Beda Red Sea Lions proved to be a cut among the rest during The Champions Cup 2024 held at New Clark City Aquatics Center in Tarlac, July 27 to 28.
Having accumulated 5,143 points, the Red Sea Lions competed against over 20 swimming teams from around the nation, supervised by Head Coach Dondon Roxas Jr., Asst. Coach Genesis Perez, and Asst. Coach Jonathan Rarela.
The title of champions has long been associated with the Sea Lions, which has held the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) crown for 20 years in the men’s division, and 10 in the women’s swimming competitions.
In an exclusive interview with The Bedan, Coach Roxas revealed that the team were on a summer training camp for five weeks in Alabang, Muntinlupa when they received the invitation for The Champions Cup 2024.
“Actually, hindi naman namin pinrepare ‘yung team para dito sa competition na ‘to, it just happened na, ‘yun nga, nag-training camp kami,” Coach Roxas shared. Despite that, he expressed that he was “glad” to see the outcome of the training camp, especially to the freshmen, as the competition’s events were divided among age groups.
The team resumed training in preparation for the NCAA Season 100. During this, Coach Roxas “promoted the spirit of bonding” between the rookies and the veterans, wanting to “inculcate the culture and system of the Red Sea Lions into the freshmen.”
He then, revealed the “secret recipe” to being the 20-year champion holder was to constantly remind the seniors that they should “not be overconfident,” and that “they will always come to competitions, whether within the NCAA or not, as challengers, and not champions,” urging them to work their best in earning the title especially with the competitive nature among the schools and teams.
Moving forward, Coach Roxas aspires for the team to find the balance between studies and training, to avoid all unnecessary obstacles for the team and the members individually. As such, he reminds them of the essence of being a student-athlete, and how the word “student” comes first, both literally and figuratively.
“Gusto ko lang talaga makita sa mga bata is kung paano nila gagampanan ‘yung duties and responsibilities nila, and then, palagi, ‘yung self-discipline na ini-impart namin sa kanila,” he concluded.
(With Denver Provido)