San Beda escapes Benilde, retains NCAA men’s football title

Published March 11, 2024 6:51pm

Updated March 11, 2024 7:33pm

San Beda University displayed its championship poise as it took down powerhouse De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 1-0, to rule the NCAA Season 99 men’s football tournament on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Red Booters leaned on Amir Aningalan’s conversion in the 3rd minute of added time as they retained the title in Mendiola, winning their second title in a row and their record-extending 25th overall crown.

San Beda completed their title run after needing to win two do-or-die games in a row.

After the first round of elimination, Benilde emerged as the top team with a 2-0-1 win-loss-draw card while San Beda came in second with a 2-1-0 slate.

But the Red Booters equalized their head-to-head clash against the Blazers, escaping with a 1-0 win during their second round clash last Thursday with Eldwin Escosora converting the lone goal at the 84th minute to force a deciding finals clash.

Had the Blazers won that game, they would be the outright champions owing to a superior standing. But San Beda made sure to live to fight another day.

After a goalless first half in their encounter today, the Red Booters, led by head coach Christopher “Nhiboy” Pedimonte, put their trust in the system en route to the late stunner that put away the top seed Benilde.

“Patience lang. Patience lang tinuturo sa amin ni coach, ‘pag hindi talaga kaya sa first, second, meron pang third, meron pang fourth. Patience lang talaga ang importante,” Aningalan said after lifting the Red Booters.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam kasi sobrang tagal din naming naghintay para sa championship sa NCAA and one year hindi kami umuwi sa probinsya. Nag-stay kami rito para sa NCAA.” 

[Patience. That’s what coach taught us. If it’s not there on the first or second opportunity, there will be a third and a fourth. Patience is what’s important… It’s a great feeling because we waited so long for the championship in the NCAA and we didn’t go home to the province for one year. We stayed here for the NCAA.]

San Beda won most of the individual awards with Aningalan leading the way after being hailed the Season 99 Most Valuable Player.

His first-year teammate Kirk Eman See clinched the Golden Boot for collecting a total of six goals in the tournament while also taking home Rookie of the Year honors. Escosora was also named Best Defender and Jhon Antonette Betanio was Best Goalkeeper while the Red Booters coach Pedimonte was recognized as Coach of the Year.

Jancee Blerr Borja of Benilde, meanwhile, came away with the Best Midfielder award.

Behind San Beda and Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College closed the tournament as second runner-up while Mapua University, which captured the Fair Play award, finished fourth in the four-team field.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News