THE SAN BEDA Lady Red Netters overcame the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Netters, 3-0, to capture their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Soft tennis title since 2018 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court, April 14.

San Beda last clinched the championship in Season 93, defeating Benilde before the pandemic struck. 

However, the Mendiola squad fell short of reclaiming the title in Season 99, bowing out to the UPHSD Lady Altas in the second round.

”[Least] expected talaga namin ‘to kasi… malakas, masyadong malakas ‘yung [mga] teams, ‘yung kalaban. Pero sabi ko naman, ‘i-try lang, wala namang mawawala eh,’ buti binigay…” Coach Gerber Datu Mamawal told The Bedan in an exclusive interview.

”Pero credits lahat sa players kasi mas ginusto nila eh, sila talaga ang dapat pasalamatan.”

After dominating this season’s elimination rounds, the Lady Red Netters earned a twice-to-beat advantage over the Benilde Lady Netters—setting the stage for an intense showdown.

Shyryn Salazar, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), also acknowledged the team’s hard work and determination of the Lady Red Netters in the lead-up to their biggest match.

“[Since] day one, trinabaho talaga namin at ginawa talaga namin ang best namin para umabot sa finals na ‘to,” she noted.

The pairing of Salazar and Sharmaine Estevez made an early statement in the first doubles, winning 5-3 (4-1, 4-1, 5-7, 2-4, 4-1, 2-4, 5-3, 5-3) over Benilde’s Gabrielle Zolleta and Noeus Beronio to put the Lady Red Netters at match point.

At the cusp of winning the title, Season 99 Rookie of the Year Angela Valdez outlasted DLS-CSB’s Claire Miraflor in the singles, 4-2 (5-3, 5-3, 3-5, 6-4, 0-4, 7-5), to secure the championship for San Beda.

“Iba talaga, iba ‘yung nag-finals ka, iba ‘yung nag-champion ka, para sakin, mas masarap sa feeling…” Mamawal said.

In addition to Salazar, Estevez was honored as Freshman of the Year, while Head Coach Jovie Mamawal received the Coach of the Year plum.