THE SAN BEDA Red Booters ended the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Football Tournament with a perfect record after silencing the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 2-0, at the UMak Stadium today, April 5.
Securing the top spot for the first round, the Red Booters led the tournament with 12 points on a +18 goal difference, yet to concede a goal in the fixture.
Despite the win over EAC, who had remained undefeated until then, Head Coach Nhiboy Pedimonte believes that the team could do more to improve their performance.
“Although we got the result we wanted, I think we could have improved sa performance. Ang naging problem namin is ‘yung naging complacent, ayun ‘yung challenge sa amin ngayon,” he told The Bedan in an interview.
The game kicked off with both teams trading close blows, as both squads narrowly missed to strike first. Kirk Emman See, spotting an opening at the 34th minute, secured the first goal for the Mendiola-based squad.
The second half was met with the same rhythm. However Paul Joshua Mapula’s clutch header at the 68th minute sealed the 2-0 win for San Beda.
With the conclusion of the first round, Pedimonte named the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB) and EAC as the teams they need to prepare for in the following round. “Dun naman tayo nahirapan nang husto eh,” he added.
With this, he cites the necessity of keeping a close watch in their following games.
“Sila ‘yung maglalaban sa semis probably, either sa dalawa ‘yung makakalaban natin pagdating sa finals kung lumusot tayo sa semis,” Pedimonte emphasized.
As the Red Booters head into the second and knockout rounds of the NCAA, he also noted the team’s mindset in meeting this success.
“It’s the will of the players talaga kasi ‘yung coaches andyan naman, pero lahat ng effort sa players galing, they really wanted to dominate the season so up until now.”
Finally, Pedimonte attests the key challenge in keeping the “motivation, hunger and concentration” of the players.
“Wala naman tayong naiuuwing tropeyo, so we just continue what we do,” he said.