SAN BEDA’S irrepressible Lady Red Spikers, who have already achieved a milestone by advancing to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, are not done yet and aim to be competitive in the playoffs.
San Beda coach Nemesio Gavino confessed that advancing to the playoffs for the first time ever is already a milestone. But he added that his players want more.
“For us, it’s already an achievement to reach the Final 4. But I told my players not to be content. We will strive for more. Hopefully, we can advance to the finals,” said Gavino.
San Beda team captain Cesca Racraquin echoed the words of his coach expressing how pleased they were at reaching the playoffs.
“The whole team is ecstatic. This is the first time for the team to reach the Final 4. It’s a great feeling because it was really our goal to reach the Final 4,” said Racraquin.
Like his coach the San Beda players led by team captain Racraquin are hardly satisfied with just making it to the playoffs. Racraquin said she has been telling her teammates that they have the potential to go deep into the playoffs if they continue to work hard.
“I tell them to trust each other, and that they do a great job. I tell them to just play their game and the win will come, basta team work lang. And aggressiveness,” said Racraquin.
The stepladder semifinals start on Tuesday, January 31. San Beda plays defending champion College of St. Benilde. Sure, the Lady Spikers lost to CSB just last Friday. But it was just a playoff for the fourth spot.
What really matters is the game on Tuesday with the winner advancing into the matchup against the twice-to-beat Arellano Lady Chiefs. If the Lady Spikers prevail then they advance to the playoff for the crown against the unbeaten San Sebastian College Lady Stags.
It’s quite a mountain to climb. But the De La Salle University Lady Spikers did it just last year to win the University Athletic Association ladies volleyball title.
So don’t write off the Lady Red Spikers just yet. By reaching the Final 4 they’ve already achieved something never achieved by any other previous San Beda ladies volleyball team. And they’re not done yet.