AFTER clinching the first-round pennant, San Beda College sets its sight on ruling the four-team second round and reclaim the the NCAA football title it lost to eventual winner Arellano University in last year’s heartbreaking season.
Drawing strength from their renewed confidence, the Red Booters got back at their conquerors with a vengeful 6-0 bashing of the Chiefs that capped a six-match sweep of the first round.
San Beda also bested St. Benilde, the biggest threat to its title-aspirations this year, in a 4-1 win that underscored the former’s seriousness to nail a league record 22nd senior football crown, one ahead of former member La Salle’s 21.
“We’re just focused on preparing for the second round,” said San Beda coach Michael Pediamonte, who was responsible for the latter part of his team’s five-year reign starting in 2010.
“But of course, at the back of our mind, we’re also thinking of that 22nd title because that is really our motivation as a team,” he added.
The second round will start on Jan. 6 next year with San Beda clashing with Lyceum of the Philippines University, which clinched the fourth and last semis ticket by finishing with six points on two wins and four losses and edging Perpetual Help goal differential, at 1 p.m.
The other semis pairing pits No. 2 St. Benilde with No. 3 Arellano University at 3 p.m.
If San Beda goes on to rule the second round, it will go on to claim the championship.
Otherwise, it will play the second winner in a one-game title contest.
San Beda’s junior counterparts, likewise, seek to top the second round as it tackles No. 4 Letran aty 9 a.m., while No. 2 St. Benilde, the defending champion, faces off with No. 3 Arellano University at 11 a.m.
The Cubs clinched the first-round pennant by finishing with 16 match points on five triumphs and a draw.