The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) South may seem low-key compared to other collegiate leagues in the country, but its sporting events are no less exciting and dramatic.
For one, it had been a great season 14 for the San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) Red Cubs with its excellent 13-0 winning streak.
In this year’s season 16, the Red Cubs’ recent do-or-die match against University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (UPHSL) had an epic ending.
high school pep band, who kept the spirits of the Bedan gallery up
The odds were against the SBC Red Cubs since the UPHSL Saints had a home court advantage and a trash-talking gallery.
But the Cubs came prepared; Coach James Tolentino said, “We were focused on the things that we practiced. Emotionally, we were all excited the whole week because after two years of heartbreak, we were finally back in the finals.”
Taking inspiration from SBC Mendiola and a very supportive though few Bedan crowd, the Red Cubs played their best.
“I believe it was our Bedan pride that made us rise above the challenge. We had the drive to reclaim the throne. We prayed a novena for this,” Tolentino added.
With help from assistant coaches Mike Perez, Pau and Kal-el Ycasiano, Tolentino steered the Red Cubs to a 91-77 win.
The Alabang Red Cubs now has seven NCAA South championship titles out of nine seasons.
