AFTER A STELLAR performance in the first half of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100, San Beda University (SBU) is on pace to retain its status as the overall champion in this year’s iteration, marking another year of dominance in the nation’s Grand Old League.
Amassing, thus far, a record haul of eight golds, one silver, and one bronze, San Beda, bearing the pride of reigning champions, is on track to retain the general championship in NCAA Season 100.
The Mendiola-based squad has delivered impressive performances in both the Senior Men’s and Women’s divisions of the sports that have concluded since the opening of the NCAA’s centennial season. These include basketball, swimming, chess, table tennis, badminton, and taekwondo.
Red Paddlers
Determined to rebound after narrowly missing the championship in Season 99, the San Beda Red Paddlers made a resounding statement by clinching the crown in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions of the Season 100 Table Tennis Tournament.
The Men’s squad dethroned the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Table Tennis Team, while the Women’s squad, following a similar script, overcame last year’s champions in the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Table Tennis Team in dominant fashion.
Led by the standout performances of Men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Matt Andrew Ramos and Women’s MVP and Rookie of the Year Danaia Reblora, the Red Paddlers have paved a promising future ahead in maintaining their dominance in the ensuing season.
Red Smashers
Historic triumphs have defined the centennial run of the San Beda Badminton Team, with the Men’s squad earning a hard-fought silver finish and the Lady Red Smashers securing their maiden championship, cementing their legacy.
The Men’s team showcased relentless tenacity throughout their campaign, highlighted by Arjay Lazareto and Joaquin Pollentes’ electrifying doubles victory against the Blazing Shuttlers and Renzo Barlinan’s recognition as Rookie of the Year. Though their four-year reign ended in a fiercely contested finale, their resolve only signals a strong comeback next season.
On the other hand, Team Captain Isabella Pollentes secured the decisive singles victory against defending champions San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), a performance that earned her the Women’s Division Most Valuable Player title.
As the crowning achievement, Head Coach Rocky Magnaye’s recognition as Coach of the Year highlights the strong leadership guiding San Beda’s badminton program. With resilience and a growing legacy, both squads are primed for even greater achievements in the seasons ahead.
Red Woodpushers
Reclaiming the chess championship title, the San Beda Chess Team made a triumphant return to the top after their silver finish in Season 99 and their first over-the-board title since Season 93.
Adrian de Luna, Lionel Escote, Johann Cedrick Gaddi, and Joshua Miguel Yongco stood as the formidable front line for the Red Woodpushers, delivering a masterclass in strategy and resilience during their thrilling championship clash against the Lyceum Pirates.
Escote’s standout performance earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, while Head Coach Ildefonso Datu was named Coach of the Year, solidifying their position as a top contender in the seasons ahead.
Red Lions
Falling short of replicating last year’s magical run, the San Beda Red Lions—the winningest team in NCAA history—crashed out of the Seniors’ basketball championship contention in disappointing fashion.
After a rocky start to Season 100, the Red Lions ended the elimination rounds as the third-seeded team identical to their Season 99 outcome. However, the odds were not in favor of the Mendiola-based squad this time as they suffered an early exit against first runners-up Benilde Blazers in a do-or-die game, settling for a bronze finish in the entire tourney.
Red Jins
Reigning supreme from Season 99, the San Beda Taekwondo Team dominated the field yet again with a relentless back-to-back championship in Season 100, dismantling their opponents to capture both Men’s and Women’s titles with unshakable pride.
Leading the charge were Leiron Capitle, who earned a triple accolade as Rookie of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Rica Antonares, named the Women’s MVP for her knockout performance.
Both players were instrumental in their team’s triumphs, reflecting the discipline instilled by Head Coach Jun Rosquillo, who was honored as Coach of the Year in all divisions.
With consecutive titles secured, the Red Jins have taken command, ready to extend their reign and set an unchallenged standard of excellence in the NCAA.
Red Sea Lions
Making sure to reinforce their decades-long reign in NCAA waters, the San Beda Red Sea Lions continued their near-perpetual dynasty in the NCAA Season 100 Swimming Competition, securing their 21st and 11th consecutive championships in the Men’s and Women’s divisions, respectively.
The Red Sea Lions also saw its athletes shine individually, with Jennuel Booh De Leon being named the Men’s MVP, while Ihiazel Fei Dolliente earned the Women’s MVP nod. Both captured all the individual awards in their divisions.
Fresh off winning another championship and bagging all of the individual accolades, the Red Sea Lions have yet to show signs of slowing down.
Moving forward, the Bedan community is enjoined to look ahead as the Red Spikers, Red Booters, Red Tracksters, and Red Corps gear up for their hunt, empowered by how with each victory, the title calls louder to the Mendiola squad—as if it’s already theirs to claim.