Yuri Escueta did not have the debut he had wanted as San Beda University head coach on Saturday.
Up against the Red Lions’ bane last season Mapua University, Escueta could not lead his team in getting over the hump, falling 55-66.
It was San Beda’s first opening day loss in the NCAA in 16 years.
Though the loss was already disappointing, what downed Escueta, even more, was how stagnant their offense was.
“Our defense was there, we were challenging but shumu-shoot pa din e,” said Escueta as they allowed the Cardinals to put up 54 points in the first 30 minutes of the game. “Tapos karamihan puro individual one-on-one kaya we have to be better defensively.
“Dapat mahirapan sa amin yung skilled players nila. So ayun yung challenge sa amin. Dapat we need to make our shots,” he continued as they shot a paltry 35-percent from the field, including a horrid 7-of-16 from deep.
Prior to getting the San Beda job, Escueta has been in the UAAP.
He played for Ateneo de Manila University and, later on, served as assistant coach to Tab Baldwin.
And in his first day back in the NCAA, the Red Cubs product admitted one thing — the Grand Old League is much more physical than the UAAP.
“Same naman as always but it’s really how physical the game is,” said Escueta about the difference between the two leagues.
“Yun ang difference from the UAAP, physical talaga dapat yung laro and at the same time for us kailangan we’re learning we have to be able to handle the physicality na hindi ka mawala sa focus sa laro.”
Escueta though will not be sulking much about the loss as there is a lot of work ahead.
And up next will be Emilio Aguinaldo College on Tuesday.
“Sabi ko nga the beauty about this is we have a game on Tuesday. Makakabawi tayo kaagad. So probably tomorrow we’ll just view the post game then tapos mag-do na kami ng pre-game para to prepare ourselves for the host, ang EAC,” Escueta shared. “Kanina nag-scout na kami pero manonood pa rin kami ng video. So tignan namin kung ano ginagawa nila, and yung individuals.
“Individually magaling yung players sa NCAA eh.”
