San Beda University is entering its 19th straight Final Four appearance in the NCAA, and head coach Yuri Escueta knows the best-of-three series the Red Lions are heading into will be a tough one.
After surviving the so-called “Group of Death” in the classification round, which included De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, Mapua University, Jose Rizal University, and Emilio Aguinaldo College, San Beda now prepares to face the Blazers in the semifinals.
Even before their opponent was confirmed, Escueta already expected the semifinals to be a difficult challenge.
“Just like how we prepared when you guys said that our bracket was the ‘Group of Death,’ ngayon naman sa Final Four, nasa ‘Bracket of Death’ naman din kami, ‘di ba?” Escueta said on Thursday after defeating Lyceum of the Philippines University in the quarterfinals.
“Wala kang choice. Whoever we face, we have to prepare. And you know, one step at a time. If sila ang makalaban namin to be able to reach our goal, we have to be ready for them.”
While San Beda swept Benilde in the classification round, Escueta still believes the keys to the series include defense, particularly rebounding.
“Hopefully, we stay locked in defensively, and that the players stay locked in on our schemes. And also, rebounding. That's always welcome for me as a coach, being able to rebound well.”
San Beda and Benilde clash in a best-of-three semifinals series starting Tuesday.
—GMA Integrated News
