Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Arespacochaga proud to see Escueta have a team of his own


Yuri Escueta had a very special guest when San Beda University took on San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Wednesday.

Sitting at the stands was Escueta’s former mentor-turned-colleague Sandy Arespacochaga.

Seeing Escueta have a team he could call his own only made Arespacochaga beam. After all, it was long overdue.

“Of course, we’re very proud of Yuri, not just because of his potential or just because he’s the head coach right now, but, I’m proud of him for the kind of person that he is,” said Arespacochaga, who also handled Escueta in Ateneo from UAAP seasons 67-71.

Escueta admitted that when he was offered the San Beda job, Arespacochaga was one of the people with whom he consulted.

PBA-D-League-ADMU-vs.-UST-Sandy-Arespacochaga-1595 Arespacochaga proud to see Escueta have a team of his own Basketball NCAA News SBC  - philippine sports news

“Isa siya sa mga kinonsult ko. He’s one of the coaches that I really look up to — he was my first head coach in college,” shared Escueta as he also worked with Arespacochaga in Ateneo and TNT.

Escueta’s first four games with the Red Lions though have been a rollercoaster ride.

After absorbing a 66-55 loss on opening day against Mapua University, San Beda bounced back with an 85-56 beatdown of Emilio Aguinaldo College.

San Beda though was not able to sustain the momentum, bowing to Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-81.

On Wednesday, the Red Lions eked out a 78-71 win over the Golden Stags.

Expected was this start for San Beda, according to Arespacochaga as the Red Lions are still adjusting to Escueta’s fast-paced style.

After all, this is a part of a coach’s growing pains with a new team, said the veteran tactician.

#ReadMore  John Amores loses top once again, strikes three Blazers in on-court melee

NCAA-Season-98-San-Beda-vs-Mapua-Yuri-Escueta Arespacochaga proud to see Escueta have a team of his own Basketball NCAA News SBC  - philippine sports news

“Well, Yuri is a brilliant coach, a very bright future ahead for him. And, I think you know, given the timing of him joining San Beda a bit late already, I think you can see some of the ups and downs dun sa performance ng team,” he said.

“They’re just not used to the system that coach Yuri is implementing, but you could already see glimpses of what he wants to achieve, so I think he’ll have a bright future for San Beda. Of course, the key also is the present [status] they’re in right now, not just talking about next year but right now,” he added.

“And, there are some growing pains for his team, you could see it in the way they’re a bit inconsistent. But, as long as they continue to improve each game – I think for this year they’ll be in the mix sa Final Four and they’ll be contending.”

For his part, Escueta will vow to do everything just to make his mentor proud.

“I really look up to him.”

Written By

College student in San Beda University, part of the San Beda Red Sea Lions Swim Team, and likes watching anime


You May Also Like

AdU

De La Salle University completed a clean sweep of the elimination round, while defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines wrapped up with back-to-back...

Basketball

De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP...

AdU

La Salle kept its immaculate record intact in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, steamrolling Far Eastern...

AU

University of Santo Tomas became the first team from the UAAP Group to clinch a playoff berth in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil...

AU

Zed Etulle delivered in the clutch to help San Beda snap its losing streak in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented...

AU

In a testy, physical showdown between UAAP rivals, La Salle held off a furious late rally from National University to stay unbeaten in the...

AdU

Adamson University finally barged into the win column of the Playtime Cares Filoil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive after outlasting University...

Basketball

There are certain athletes whose names are forever linked together. Over the past decade, we’ve seen the likes of Robert Bolick and CJ Perez;...

Advertisement