REACHING back for active sports in San Beda College Alabang, the Red Lions Varsity Teams began recruitment over July in hopes of refilling their rosters with fresh team-players to secure collegiate championships once more. Due to the pandemic halting all physical activities, the situation has taken a toll on SBCA’ top sports teams, leaving two years of no new recruits and games left teams hungry for action.

Dusting off the Lions’ Den

Notable SBCA sports teams — namely Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Basketball and Taekwondo — began announcements of open calls last July with scheduled training at the campus gymnasium ahead of back-to-school season. Miguel Olis (V-BSBA-MM), power forward of the Men’s Basketball team, reiterated, “Our time currently is at rebuilding stage because maraming seniors ang nag-graduate and naiwan lang samin [are] 5 player[s] including me. We are working on our recruitment specially for those positions that are vacant.”  In addition, he expects that the team will be more motivated and determined after reaching the final four last season. 

Court Chasings

Upon returning to in-campus training in preparation for national tournaments, whether face-to-face or online, Cheska Galvez (IV-BSA), Taekwondo Team Captain said, “Our other goals for our team is to improve our skills and techniques to represent our school, and organize tune up with other schools’ training to build up our social skills as an athlete and new learning of techniques.” 

Adrian Torres, Opposite Spiker of the Men’s Volleyball Team remarked, “Well, of course we’ll have a hard time rebuilding our team from scratch. But in terms of skills, we are individually good with our condition. We just have to create a bond with the team, especially with the incoming freshmen to gain that sense of unity.”

Worth More than Passion

Debates spur over the importance of sports activities in the transition towards hybrid learning as Carl Vargas, Senior Member of SBCA Red Lion Pep Band highlighted, “Even if there’s restrictions sa school, we were still blessed with events that reminded us that the pep band is essential in boosting the school spirit.” Despite setbacks faced during the pandemic, Bedan athletes continue to stay in shape, fit, and ready to hit the courts once more.

As one Bedan community let us let our school spirits burn once more as we support and reignite our passion in active sports. Be sure to look out for our athletes around campus, announcements of try-outs and trainings are posted on the teams’ social media platforms. The loud roar of the SBCA’s Red Lions will echo in the south once more!