With San Beda University head coach Yuri Escueta serving the one-game suspension he got from their game against Lyceum of the Philippines University, first assistant coach Andre Santos stepped up to take the reins versus a gritty Jose Rizal University squad.
Coincidentally, Escueta was also out for the Red Lions’ training sessions this week due to his commitments with PBA team TNT Tropang Giga in their East Asia Super League stint in Japan.
With the help of the other coaches in the staff, Santos took the provisional lead coaching job in stride and pulled off a massive victory over the Heavy Bombers, 74-70.
After the game, the 22-year-old coach admitted experiencing a roller-coaster of emotions — from Escueta not being on the sidelines to overcoming the odds and notching a win against JRU.
“Siguro, emotional lang ako because it has been a tough week. Siyempre, we’re in unfamiliar territory with coach Yuri not around. Bihira kami to practice without him, so to have a full week without him, to play a tough JRU team without him, the emotions really raised. But I am really grateful that we got that win because we needed that win so badly.”
“Whether coach Yuri was here or not, we just had to find a way. And thankful ako sa mga boys na nag-respond sila sa akin well,” added Santos.
(I was emotional because it has been a tough week. We're in unfamiliar territory with Coach Yuri not around. We seldom practiced without him, so to have a full week without him, to play a tough JRU team without him, the emotions really raised. But I am really grateful that we got that win because we needed that win so badly. Whether coach Yuri was here or not, we just had to find a way. I'm thankful to the boys they responded well.)
The Red Lions' coaching tandem go way back, as Escueta coached an Ateneo Glory Be squad that Santos was a captain of. In 2022, Santos joined Escueta in his efforts to reclaim the crown for Mendiola.
Seemingly inseparable since his collegiate days, Santos said that it was a whole new experience for him coaching without his long time mentor.
“Very different experience because nung Lyceum game, kasi pinasa lang sa akin noon eh. I couldn’t even react. Pero for this one, I had four days to prepare with the help of coach Norman [Black] and coach Boyet [Fernandez] in terms of the game plan and getting the boys ready mentally,” said Santos.
“It was so different in terms of 'Ah, game plan ko na ‘to.' So now it’s my responsibility that we prepare well and that we play our best today.”
(Very different experience because during the Lyceumg ame, this was just passed on to me. I couldn't even react. But for this one, I had four days to prepare with the help of coach Norman and coach Boyet in terms of the game plan and getting the boys ready mentally. It was so different in terms of 'Ah, this is my game plan.' So now it’s my responsibility that we prepare well and that we play our best today.)
Santos also said that despite not being present in the game today, Escueta was still able to make a big impact with just a few reminders through text messages.
“Shoutout to coach Yuri as well, he even texted us certain adjustments which we applied. So sobrang laking tulong din ni coach Yuri even from afar.”
Santos even quipped: “Sana enjoy siya at home, smiling. But he’ll be back the next two days where we will be game planning against Perpetual.”
(Shoutout to coach Yuri as well, he even texted us certain adjustments which we applied. Coach Yuri was a big help even from afar. I hope he's enjoying at home, smiling. But he’ll be back the next two days where we will be game planning against Perpetual.)
The Red Lions will have their head coach back when they play the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA next on Tuesday, October 17.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
