When the entire league counted them out, San Beda University did the impossible.
The NCAA’s last remaining founding school member captured the Season 99 title for their 23rd overall seniors’ basketball crown in 2023.
Fast forward to nine months later, the Red Lions have transitioned from hunters to the hunted.
The Mendiola-based squad now gears up for their title defense – a task easier said than done – in the NCAA’s centennial season. They will face Lyceum of the Philippines University in the opening day match on Sept. 7, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
For head coach Yuri Escueta, having targets on their backs is nothing new for the winningest ball club in NCAA history. However, he acknowledged that San Beda must not remain complacent in their quest for a second straight championship.
“Eversince napunta ako sa San Beda, or kahit nung wala pa ako dito, San Beda always had targets at their backs. It’s not new to us, but winning a championship last year, we know how teams would always go hard against us,” said Escueta during the NCAA’s seniors’ basketball press conference on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Kailangan namin maghanda just like last year, we prepare in every game. We know that in the NCAA, na kahit sino pwede ka talunin, kaya we can’t take any game for granted.”
Beyond staying hungry for the title, Escueta emphasized the need for the Red Lions to gain the resilience required to weather the ups and downs the young team will experience throughout the 18-game elimination round.
San Beda is no stranger to mid-season challenges, having dropped four out of five games to open the second round last season before ultimately claiming the Season 99 title.
“Tingin ko as the game progresses, marami kaming bad experiences, may ups and downs. Yung challenge lang for us are [sic] how do we move forward,” the 39-year-old former Ateneo Blue Eagle shared.
“Just like last year, I hope we get better as the game and NCAA season progresses, and sana we peak at the right time.”
To lead the Red Lions in their title defense, Escueta appointed Yukien Andrada as team captain, one of the main contributors in their Season 99 triumph.
The sharpshooting forward, who was the second-leading scorer for San Beda last year with 12.81 points, will be relied upon by Escueta more for his leadership than his offense.
“Kahit mag two points lang yan si Yuki, pero kung ma-lead niya yung team in the right way, yun lang okay na ako,” the former Ateneo guard mentioned.
Despite key losses with Jacob Cortez transferring to La Salle and the departure of former captain Peter Alfaro and JV Gallego due to graduation, Andrada remains optimistic about the Red Lions’ title defense, bolstered by new players joining the den.
For Andrada, the additions of Bryan Sajonia, Penny Estacio, brothers RC and Richi Calimag, JC Bonzalida, and Bismarck Lina – along with the development of James Payosing and Jomel Puno – will compensate for the team’s lineup changes.
“They’ve gotten used sa mga systems namin and I think coming into this season, they are now more confident with their movements and on the system that we’re running with Coach Yuri,” the Marketing major said.
“For Jacob, we’re not worried naman that we lost Jacob Cortez because I think the players that we have right now are capable of also doing what Jacob Cortez did last season.”
