IN an intense game, the San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) Red Lions volleyball team fell short against Centro Escolar University (CEU) Pink Scorpions following a three-set game, during the Season 19 of the Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (MNCAA) that happened last May 6 at the SBCA Sports Complex. 

Leading the Red Lions during the first set were its first six players headed by its team captain, John Gabriel Santos (IV-BACMS). The start of the game went well for the Red Lions when it gained a four-point lead against the CEU Pink Scorpions. However, with the consistent attacks and strong floor defense of the Scorpions, they were able to emerge and take the lead with 17-12. The set ended with 25-20 in favor of CEU. 

Head-to-head 

After its first set loss, the Red Lions were determined to win the second set by taking the lead of two points, making it 6-4 after the Scorpions consistently committed various errors. This strong start gave the Bedan squad the motivation it needed to push with the game by sending off deadly and strong attacks, making it 16-13 before a timeout was called. Reinforced by the words of the head coach of CEU, the Scorpions gave strong attacks and countered the Red Lions’ spikes with an excellent floor defense and powerful block, challenging the Bedan squad to maintain its huge lead. Towards the end of the set, both squads faced off in a fierce match having a tie score of 23-23. However, the Pink Scorpions took its chance and quickly grabbed its second set win. 

Hurtful ending

With both squads feeling the pressure of the game, the third set started with a bang with the SBCA Volleyball Team taking the lead, 3-2. This was immediately cut off when the CEU Scorpions responded with continuous attacks which made it difficult for the Red Lions to keep up after committing a few errors. With the momentum that the Scorpions gained, this helped them to have a strong lead with 11-6 before a timeout was called. Following the timeout, the Bedan Spikers managed to regroup and catch up with the Scorpions making it 16-11, although in favor of CEU. Both teams showed determination as they worked hard to score each point. There was even an occurance of a long rally that truly showed how both squads are determined to win the match. Despite the Red Lions’ flawless floor defense and sets, it still fell short of the Scorpions’ quick attacks when the latter ended the match with a win of 25-17. 

Hopeful Comeback

After the intense game, THE BEDAN HERALD had a chance to interview the Red Lion’s team captain John Gabriel Santos (IV-BACMS) who strongly led the squad throughout the match. When asked what was the lack of the team during its match  against CEU, Santos said “lack of communication.” The team captain also shared that some of the players had a hard time with the match because of the various challenges some of them were experiencing, such as academics and other matters. This led the squad to have a hard time focusing on its plays and strategy, but the captain said that the team still gave their 100% despite the various circumstances they were experiencing. Moving forward, Santos said that the team’s main goal is to continue training and prepare for its next matches. He also gave a hopeful statement saying, “Alam namin na kaya ng team mag-finals and panghahawakan namin ito hanggang mag-finals,” the captain of the Lion squad said. 

Despite the loss of SBCA’s Volleyball team to CEU, we can be sure that this is not the last time we will hear from them. With enough time to train and support, the Red Lion Squad will surely do its best to roar toward the finals.