After its 62-67 defeat in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the hands of the Lyceum of the Philippines University last Sunday, San Beda University found itself in complete disarray.
Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta was ejected from their Pirates match, resulting in an immediate suspension for San Beda’s upcoming game against Jose Rizal University.
To make matters worse, Escueta would be unavailable for the entire week’s preparations for JRU. The second-year head coach had to appear at the East Asia Super League as an assistant coach for TNT.
In his place, Andre Santos took charge of the preparations for San Beda’s match against the Heavy Bombers, and the young assistant coach delivered.
Santos played a key role in guiding the Red Lions to a 74-70 come-from-behind victory over the Heavy Bombers, tying them for the third spot in the standings alongside Emilio Aguinaldo College.
After the win, the 22-year-old coach out of Ateneo de Manila University was highly sentimental, having secured the game in Escueta’s absence.
“Siguro emotional ako kasi it’s been a tough week. Siyempre we’re in unfamiliar territory without Coach Yuri around,” shared Santos. “Bihira kami mag-practice without him, tapos to have a full week without him, to play a tough JRU team preparing without him, then being in this game without him, the emotions really rose.
“I’m just really grateful we came out with that win because we needed it so badly. Whether Coach Yuri was here or not, we just had to find a win. The boys, I’m just thankful nagrespond sila sa akin well and sobrang grateful na we came out with the win.”
For the first time in his young coaching career, Santos was in charge of devising a game plan against the Heavy Bombers. And with the assistance of consultants Norman Black and Boyet Fernandez, Santos’ plan bore fruit for San Beda.
“I had four days to prepare, and with the help of Coach Norman and Coach Boyet, kami nagtutulungan to prepare the game plan, mentally and physically prepare the boys.
“It’s a very different game plan for me, so now it’s my responsibility to ensure that we prepare well, and it’s my responsibility to ensure that we play our best today and secure the win,” Santos said.
Escueta will return to call the shots in San Beda’s next matchup against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
And -he and the rest of the San Beda community can rest easy knowing that Santos is fully prepared to assist the squad when the moment calls for it.
