NEWLY-CROWNED champion San Beda University will be without four key players in Peter Alfaro, Clifford Jopia, Damie Cuntapay, and JV Gallego when the Red Lions seek a second straight title next season.
But that’s just fine with San Beda coach Yuri Escueta–they have able players in their Team B who are raring to fight for roster spots.
“There are guys coming, replacing iyong four na aalis. We have guys doing residency like the Calimag (Richi and RC) brothers, si Bismarck (Lina), si Penny (Estacio), Bryan Sajonia, but they need to fight for their slots,” Escueta said. “That’s how we were since January. At the start, everyone needs to fight for their slots, even these guys who won the championship.
“That’s the only way that they’re gonna compete in games if they compete in practices,” he added.
Escueta’s words after his wards ruled the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at the expense of the Mapua University Cardinals last Sunday seemed to give a hint that they will be ready with or without ace playmaker Jacob Cortez, who has drawn interest from UAAP schools, among them reigning titlist La Salle.
The 5-foot-10 Cortez only confirmed that the Green Archers want him but it’s his father, former PBA and La Salle star Mike, who’s doing the negotiations.
“I just wanna celebrate this championship first and bahala na after,” Cortez said. “It feels good, of course. Mission complete. We proved everyone wrong. I just wanna enjoy myself.
“So good because like I’ve said no one thought we’d be here. Everyone thought we were rebuilding. They brought in coach Yuri and some freshmen but we just proved everyone wrong.”
