REAPING THE REWARDS of their triumph, the San Beda Lady Red Smashers received a share of the proceeds from the alumni-driven Red Lions Season Pass Program, with the turnover ceremony attended by University Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB last February 27.
This came about after the Lady Red Smashers dethroned the San Sebastian Lady Stags Badminton Team last December, making history by claiming their first-ever National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title.
Recognizing their historic feat, Season Pass Program Director Ryu Policarpio and Red Lions team manager Jude Roque presented a Php100,000 check for the Lady Red Smashers, a portion from the Php2,000,000 funds raised during the Red Lions Season Pass Program.
The Season Pass Program was a fundraising effort powered by alumni and fans purchasing exclusive access to NCAA sporting events. Priced at Php20,000 per holder, the program sold all 100 allocations, successfully generating proceeds to support other sports programs in need.
Initially launched to support the Red Lions basketball team, the program has since broadened its commitment to San Beda’s athletics community, extending its benefits to multiple sports programs.
During the turnover ceremony, University Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, formally received the donation alongside the Lady Red Smashers and Coaches Ronald and Rocky Magnaye, reinforcing the University’s ongoing commitment to athletic excellence.
Team Captain Isabella Pollentes, who is set to graduate this year, conveyed, “Being part of this team is a huge responsibility, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Winning the NCAA title was the culmination of years of sacrifices, adjustments, and perseverance. I cried; the whole team cried because that was our motivation all these years.”
Fr. Maranan also expressed, “We are so grateful to the group, especially for Ryu [Policarpio], for supporting and working their best to come up and achieve the purpose and goal of this project. And at this moment, we have gone beyond the expected result because we are not only supporting basketball, but right now, they have shared for the good of the women’s San Beda badminton team,” applauding everyone who contributed to such feat.
“The important thing is, we bring the fullness of the sports program that will really catapult San Beda to greater heights, not only for San Beda but also for our players, so that in their personal lives, they will truly be blessed,” Fr. Maranan added, expressing hope that this initiative will continue to benefit more student-athletes in the years to come.