Despite being a rookie, Andrei Ugaddan has established himself as a steady contributor for San Beda University, with head coach Yuri Escueta entrusting him with increased minutes as the season progresses.
The former Red Cub introduced himself to the NCAA by knocking down the game-winning triple against José Rizal University.
He continued to make his presence felt for the Red Lions as they escaped Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 74-65, in overtime at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Monday.
Ugaddan finished with eight points, but his 10 rebounds — five of them on the offensive end — proved crucial to San Beda’s victory.
The 19-year-old native of Isabela helped the Red Lions dominate the rebounding battle, 52-38, which should come as no surprise considering the basketball player he idolizes the most.
“Idol ko sa rebounds si Dennis Rodman eh,” said Ugaddan.
At 6-foot-3, Ugaddan has shown the same hustle and grit as the multiple-time rebounding king.
Ugaddan has experienced a roller-coaster start to his collegiate career. He had played just three total minutes before announcing his arrival against JRU, when Escueta entrusted him with 18 minutes of playing time.
He was then hit with a disqualifying foul against Mapúa University, which forced him to miss the Red Lions’ following game against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Now truly back in action, Ugaddan was tasked with guarding one of the NCAA’s best collegiate guards in Titing Manalili.
“Sobrang grateful ako dahil may tiwala sa akin si Coach Yuri and ipapakita ko kung ano pang kaya kong gawin,” he shared.
That trust, particularly in a rivalry game against Letran, is something Escueta himself emphasized following the victory. For the San Beda coach, the product of the Red Cubs program earned that trust by showing fight in every game and every practice.
He added that had Ugaddan not been ejected against Mapúa, the game might have gone the other way.
“Matapang kasi si Andrei for a rookie. He accepts yung challenge of being able to guard yung best player ng kalaban. Of course there are still some rookie mistakes that I have to understand,” Escueta said.
“But laban yung bata eh. As a coach, if you see that in a player, it gives you the confidence to make him guard yung best player ng opposing team.”
The mistakes mentioned by the Red Lions head coach are ones that Ugaddan himself recognizes as part of the learning curve during his freshman year.
However, he remains humble through it all, describing them as much-needed experiences as he continues to develop throughout the season.
“Pero may mga lapses pa rin. Pagtatrabahuhan ko pa rin ‘yun. Sinusunod ko lang ‘yung sinasabi sa akin ni Coach Yuri and sinipagan ko lang,” he said after the overtime victory.
