Minutes after San Beda University clinched the NCAA Season 99 basketball title, head coach Yuri Escueta was nonetheless in disbelief.
The Red Lions on Sunday defeated Mapua University in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals, 76-66.
“Hindi pa eh,” Escueta instructed GMA Integrated News when requested if the championship feeling already sank in.
Escueta, nonetheless, isn’t any stranger to successful.
From his days as a highschool participant as a part of the famed San Beda Red Cubs program to his time as a school participant with Ateneo de Manila University, Escueta has come all the best way to win his first collegiate title as a coach.
And plenty of that championship custom comes proper from his roots at San Beda.
“I was taught about that tradition and being [able to] excel when I went under coach Ato Badolato,” Escueta recalled.
Badolato was the long-time coach of the San Beda highschool program with 16 titles underneath his belt. His legendary tenure noticed gamers from Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc to LA Tenorio and Jvee Casio come underneath his tutelage.
Escueta can depend himself as a part of that group.
“I was lucky to be under him, to have good teammates so as my career progresses as a player and as a coach, suwerte rin ako na I have good coaches, teammates, and players na I was with,” he added.
[I was lucky to be under him, to have good teammates so as my career progresses as a player and as a coach, I’m lucky to have good coaches, teammates, and players.]
Even in accepting the San Beda teaching job, the late Badolato was on Escueta’s thoughts.
“In the past, he asked me to coach the San Beda high school team, humindi ako sa kanya. He tried again after two, three years, tinanong niya ako kung gusto ko mag-coach ng San Beda basketball team, sabi ko ‘di pa ako ready. So I stayed with Ateneo,” Escueta recalled.
“When he passed away, the San Beda college coaching job was offered to me six months after he passed away. So I told myself na I think I’m ready and para sa kanya ‘to. I offer this championship to him as a thank you.”
[In the past, he asked me to coach the San Beda high school team, but I refused. He tried again after two, three years, he asked me if I wanted to coach the San Beda basketball team, but I said I wasn’t ready yet. So I stayed with Ateneo. When he passed away, the San Beda college coaching job was offered to me six months after he passed away. So I told myself, I think I’m ready and this one is for him. I offer this championship to him as a thank you.]
The timing was essential for Escueta as he needed to acquire some beneficial expertise earlier than he felt ready to take over the reins for the Red Lions.
“Siguro ‘yung experience ko with Coach Tab [Baldwin], experience with PBA. At the same time, somebody told me that it’s time for you to step out of your comfort zone. Siyempre, medyo relaxed na ako sa Ateneo, [I] challenged myself. Nakinig lang naman ako.”
[I guess my experience with Coach Tab Baldwin, experience with the PBA. At the same time, somebody told me that it’s time for you to step out of your comfort zone. Of course, I was relaxed at Ateneo. I challenged myself. I listened.]
Escueta additionally considers himself lucky to have the ability to lean on the expertise of giants like Boyet Fernandez and Norman Black, who’re a part of his workers as consultants.
“Malaking bagay of course, ‘yung experience nila really helped. Inexperienced ako sa ganitong situation so malaking bagay na nandyan sila. Isipin mo, nandyan si Norman Black at saka si Coach Boyet sa likod mo. Sabi ko nga sa player ko, pag ayaw nyong makinig sa akin, makinig kayo kay Coach Norman at Coach Boyet kasi ‘yan nagchampion na, ako hindi pa eh.”
[It’s huge, of course, their experience really helped. I’m inexperienced in these kinds of situations so it’s a big deal for them to be there. Can you imagine having Norman Black and Coach Boyet behind you. I told my players, if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to Coach Norman and Coach Boyet because they’ve won championships, I haven’t.]
After these NCAA Finals, Escueta joins the ranks of a few of his mentors — and might now proudly name himself a champion too.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
