Minutes after San Beda University clinched the NCAA Season 99 basketball title, head coach Yuri Escueta was still 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 told GMA Integrated News when asked if the championship feeling already sank in.
Escueta, however, is no stranger to winning.
From his days as a high school player as part of the famed San Beda Red Cubs program to his time as a college player with Ateneo de Manila University, Escueta has come all the way to win his first collegiate title as a coach.
And a lot of that championship tradition comes right 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 high school program with 16 titles under his belt. His legendary tenure saw players from Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc to LA Tenorio and Jvee Casio come under his tutelage.
Escueta can count himself as 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 coaching job, the late Badolato was on Escueta's mind.
"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 crucial for Escueta as he had to gain some valuable experience before he felt prepared 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 also considers himself fortunate to be able to lean on the experience of giants like Boyet Fernandez and Norman Black, who are part of his staff 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 some of his mentors — and can now proudly call himself a champion too.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
