SAN Beda’s season pass program has lived up to its promise of supporting not just basketball, but the broader sports community within the institution.
On Friday, project directors Ryu Policarpio and Red Lions team manager Jude Roque handed over a PHP100,000 check—raised from the season pass initiative—to the university’s women’s badminton team, the Lady Red Smashers.
The donation comes months after the squad made history by securing San Beda’s first-ever NCAA women’s badminton championship last December, dethroning the San Sebastian Lady Stags.
Present at the ceremonial turnover were San Beda rector Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, along with the Lady Red Smashers led by team captain Isabella Pollentes, co-captain Dana Navarro, and teammates Chay Red, Elayssa Morada, Melody Galicia, Lharrene Sales, Andrea Tan, Ariana Belen, Clareese Panganiban, and Jan Racess Ching, as well as coaches Ronald and Rocky Magnaye were also in attendance.
“We are so grateful to the group, especially for Ryu, for supporting and working their best to come up and achieve the purpose and goal of this project. And at this particular moment, we have gone beyond the expected result because we are not only supporting basketball, but right now, they have shared for the good of the women's San Beda badminton team," Fr. Maranan said.
"This is a very, very big project, and we acknowledge the help of everyone because they have been supporting one another. The community is fully grateful for this beautiful relationship among the different stakeholders,” he added.
For Pollentes, the moment came as a surprise, but served as a testament to the team’s hard work.
“Being part of this team is a huge responsibility, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling,” shared graduating Pollentes.
“Winning the NCAA title was the culmination of years of sacrifices, adjustments, and perseverance. I cried, the whole team cried, because that was our motivation all these years. That’s what coach Rocky told me - that only inner fire can bring us here."
Assist from Red Lions to other programs
The donation was made possible through the Season 100 season sass program, which was priced at PHP20,000 per holder. With all 100 allocations selling out, the initiative successfully raised proceeds to benefit another sports program in need.
With Pollentes and two other seniors departing, the skipper hopes the Lady Red Smashers will continue building upon the legacy they’ve left behind.
“Yes, it’s a different breed now. Our rookies came in without the pandemic restrictions - it’s their first year, and they can play right away. They’re already strong," she noted.
"I know we’re all skillful, but in terms of having that champion mindset, I instilled that in them. Hopefully, they’ll continue adjusting on their own, and I have confidence that they will keep building on what we’ve started.”
Fr. Maranan hopes this initiative will continue to benefit more student-athletes in the years to come.
“In the years to come, we look forward to not only achieving and raising funds, but the important thing is we bring the fullness of the sports program that will really catapult San Beda to greater heights - not only for San Beda, but also for our players, so that in their personal lives, they will truly be blessed,” he said
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
