Has James Kwekuteye played his final game for San Beda University?
The 6-foot-2 Fil-Canadian was unhappy with how San Beda University ended its Season 98 campaign.
However, Kwuketeye still has one playing year left, so he might come back again next season as he seeks redemption.
“Who knows, who knows if I come back next year. We’ll see, we’ll see.
“But it was a sad way to end the season. We’re supposed to go at the Finals, but Benilde put up a fight, but we just came up short at the end,” Kwuketeye shared.
“But I’m still proud of my guys, my team, and the coaching staff. We trust the coaching staff no matter what, but in the end, we came up short,” he added.
“I still have one playing year, so who knows? Stay tuned.”
Kwekuteye admitted that they had to go through a lot heading into the season.
Just two months before the preseason tournaments, the Red Lions switched coaches, getting Yuri Escueta as chief while Boyet Fernandez remained as a consultant.
Though Kwuketeye and the team managed to adjust to Escueta’s system, time was not on their side.
“Well I think, I had my ups and downs. I got it… because the last season was a short season, so we had to adjust. And plus, this season had to adjust coach Yuri’s system. So it took a little preparation,” admitted the NCAA Season 95 Mythical Team member.
“But it all came through, you see it. We can beat any team, but today was not it. So, I’m just… happy overall, but not too happy, we really want to make it to the championship. So everything happens for a reason right, so yeah.”
Kwuketeye averaged 15.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in the elimination round this season.
However, in their do-or-die game versus Benilde, Kwekuteye put up just 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting with nine rebounds
If this was his last game as a Red Lion, Kwekuteye says that he will be leaving the team in good hands.
“I trust them a lot ’cause in practice, I always tell them ‘let’s go hard, let’s go hard; let’s compete in practice. So in the game, it will be easy for all of us.’ So they know what’s in store for them next year,” said Kwekuteye.
“If I leave, so they got a lot, a lot on their plate. But I trust coach Yuri [Escueta]. He knows how to maintain these young guys.”