THE SAN BEDA Red Booters cruised past the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Strikers, 4-0, to close in on a first-round sweep in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Football Tournament earlier today, April 2, at the UMak Stadium.
Maintaining the top spot on the table, the Red Booters now take charge with nine points on a +16 goal difference. The Mendiola squad is yet to concede a single goal in the entire fixture.
“I think ‘yung team na ‘to is special. They can always rise to the challenge,” Head Coach Nhiboy Pedimonte told The Bedan in an interview.
Pius Carlitos Encaya broke through for the Mendiola-based squad in the 13th minute to open the scoring. Sylver Edzon Pormento followed suit, adding a second in the first half with a goal in the 37th minute.
The Red Booters took a 2-0 advantage over the Blazing Booters heading into half time. Despite maintaining their control of the tempo in the second half, the Red Booters failed to find the back of the net in the opening moments of the restart.
Fortunately, Amir Muamin Aningalan added his name on the score sheet for the Red Boothers with a goal just shy past the hour mark of the match. Paul Mapula contributed by scoring six minutes later in the 67th minute of play.
Mapula’s goal sealed the 4-0 performance against the Season 99 first runner-ups.
“It’s the tempo na kailangan naming kontrolin. especially when we’re leading. Tapos ‘yung strong points namin I think [is] ‘yung hunger ng bawat isa na nagiging collective effort,” Pedimonte emphasized.
With their emphatic victory over Benilde, the master tactician believes that the job is not yet finished despite being a match away from a dominant first-round showing.
“Again, it’s part of the elimination so we have to play against them. Wala pa kaming naiuuwing trophy so hindi kailangan mag-relax, ang kailangan lang namin is i-improve ‘yung mga kailangan i-improve,” said Pedimonte.
“Ang sa’min, it’s a boost for us, for the team going to the EAC game and going into the knockout stage.”
The Red Booters will face the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Saturday, April 5, at the same venue.