San Beda University head coach Yuri Escueta gave his veteran and team captain Peter Alfaro due credit for giving the Red Lions a steady presence despite his on-and-off starting role in NCAA Season 99.
Alfaro proved just that when he helped rally the Mendiola crew down the stretch when they were in a tight affair against the defiant De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Wednesday. The graduating guard buried a triple that allowed them to build a crucial 60-56 lead with 2:52 left in the game.
A pair of free throws from him then pushed their lead to four anew, 62-58, after drawing a foul from Prince Carlos. His presence on the floor steered San Beda to a 65-61 escape to bounce back from two heartbreaking losses to Perpetual and Mapua.
"I know what Peter can give our team—stability and composure which we lacked last game, and he can make shots from the outside," Escueta said.
Escueta added that Alfaro doesn't mind whether he comes off the bench or gets the start as his contribution to the team stays the same while also sharing that his work ethic is what keeps his value high in the team.
"He’s the one na laging nauuna sa practice namin to shoot. He’s a good leader even though na hindi siya naglalaro nung mga past games," Escueta added.
"Tinake lang din niya ‘yung challenge of guarding ‘yung kung sino man ‘yung matchup niya. Fighter naman ‘yan si Peter."
(He's the one who always lead our shoot around in practice. He's a good leader even though he does not play in the past games. He took on the challenge of guarding whoever his matchup is. Peter's a fighter.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
