READY TO POUNCE on their rivals, the San Beda Red Jins delivered a strong showing at the 2026 Smart MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Championships held last July 26 to 27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, collecting seven gold, six silver, and four bronze medals ahead of their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 campaign.
The medal haul highlighted the depth of the Red Jins’ roster despite significant offseason changes. Following the conclusion of Season 101, San Beda bid farewell to eight seniors from its championship core, prompting Head Coach Edgar “Jun” Rosquillo to field a younger squad while maintaining the program’s championship standards.
Leading the current roster are team captains Rica Antonares and Tor Timothy Castillo, who are expected to anchor the squad as San Beda looks to regain the NCAA men’s championship while sustaining its dominance in the women’s division.
Despite the roster turnover, Rosquillo remained optimistic as the program stayed true to the philosophy that has defined Red Jins’ sustained success: developing a winning mentality among its athletes.
“We are lions. Malakas tayo. Matapang tayo. Hindi tayo nag-give up,” Rosquillo said.
Rosquillo also stressed that Red Jins’ identity extends beyond individual success. He credited the culture established by program founder coach Noel Veneracion, highlighting the values of loyalty, discipline, and unity that continue to shape the team.
Multiple Red Jins ascended the podium at the national championships, delivering a standout performance for San Beda. Fitz Mangliwan, Santino De Castro, Perrie Benedict R. Asuncion, Ceana Audrey M. Martonito, Nixine Amanda P. Distrito, Clark James Salvador, and Antonares each captured gold medals, leading the Red Jins to a tournament haul of seven gold, six silver, and four bronze medals.
The national tournament served as one of the Red Jins’ major tests ahead of NCAA Season 102, allowing the team to regroup as the men’s squad looks to reclaim the championship crown from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Jins while the Lady Red Jins prepare to defend their title. With both redemption and title retention on the line, the upcoming NCAA season is poised to showcase another chapter in San Beda’s pursuit of dominance in all sports.