AFTER losing several key players due to graduation and school transfers, San Beda University coach Yuri Escueta was simply glad his wards stepped up in their opening game.
“Sabi ko nga, the start of the year was really tough on us because we lost our starters, lahat ng position covered nila,” Escueta said after the Red Lions smothered Arellano University 85-61 last Tuesday. “We lost our starting shooting guard, our small forward, and our potential starting point guard. It was tough on the team.
“But I have to give credit to the players that they really owned up and said this is our team. They did the work during the preseason, they made sure they’re ready when the NCAA comes,” he added.
San Beda’s resolve will be tested anew when it collides with Mapua University today for a piece of the lead in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The game is set at 4 p.m. after Jose Rizal University, also with a 1-0 mark like the Lions and the Cardinals, face College of St. Benilde in the curtain-raiser at 2 o’clock.
San Beda lost big man JB Bahio and prolific guard James Kwekuteye, who both turned pro, while Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Gab Cometa moved to the Blazers in the off-season.
Jacob Cortez, Damie Cuntapay, James Payosing, Yukien Andrada, and Peter Alfaro are expected to show the way for the Lions in their bid to move into a tie with Lyceum on top.
“Malaking bagay sa amin iyong first win namin. Siguro lumabas iyong character nila, especially iyong mga beterano at iyong mga rookies namin,” Mapua strategist Randy Alcantara said.
“Doon pa lang siguro, maganda iyong chance namin every game para makapag-compete against sa lahat ng teams.”
The Cards will go into the tiff armed with an 80-70 victory over San Sebastian College last
