After missing the Finals of the NCAA seniors basketball tournament for the first time in 15 years, San Beda University needed some fresh hands to take care of the Red Lions.
And San Beda had to replace Boyet Fernandez as head coach.
Despite the coaching staff overhaul and the appointment of new head coach Yuri Escueta, the Mighty Red School decided to still have the seasoned mentor by the new staff’s side to provide continuity to the program.
For that Fernandez was more than willing to extend a helping hand to the school which embraced him as one of its own, starting with him standing by its new chief tactician.
“Coach Yuri has been training the team and he’s doing a very good job right now. Rest assured that San Beda is in good hands,” he shared.
“I’m so happy that he has been chosen as the head coach of this team. I’m sure malaki ang future ng San Beda with Coach Yuri there.”
With that overwhelming confidence in Escueta, the 50-year-old mentor who steered San Beda to four NCAA championships gave the new head coach the freehand to do what the latter needs to do.
For his part, Fernandez, who was part of Tab Baldwin’s Gilas staff last year, just lends an open ear and advice based on personal experience in his seven years with the Red Lions.
He said, “Ang akin siguro is if Coach Yuri needs some advice, that’s the time na siguro papasok ako.
“Ako for now, I admire how he prepares for a game ‘pag nag-pa-practice kami. Basta ‘pag kailangan lang, I’ll just advice coach Yuri. Ganon lang naman ako. Just to see that the team is okay. Maganda pa rin naman with coach Jude (Roque) there. Sabi ko nga, maganda tatakbuhin with Coach Yuri here.”
With the first game under the belt now for Escueta, Fernandez and the rest of the management of the Red Lions know that they have started on a good note despite the loss against La Salle.
“This is the first game for Coach Yuri for San Beda. We saw the positives and we just have to learn from the negatives. And we believe what coach Yuri can do with this team.”
—
The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
