BOYET RALLIES BEHIND YURI
I BELIEVE SAN BEDA WILL GO FAR WITH COACH YURI.
Boyet Fernandez is throwing his full support to Yuri Escueta as he handles San Beda University starting Season 98 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament this September.
Fernandez, the former Red Lions mentor, said the 37-year-old Escueta is perfect for the role as he is set to implement systems that he learned from a distinguished roster of coaches like Ato Badolato, Norman Black, Chot Reyes and Tab Baldwin.
He said he may have been tapped as an active consultant, but he will give the rookie mentor a free hand to run the team, knowing that he has what it takes to make the right decisions that will help the Lions regain the NCAA crown.
Aside from Fernandez, also part of the San Beda coaching staff will be former Red Lions Jenkins Mesina and Alex Angeles as well as Francis Cruz and Andre Santos.
“I believe San Beda will go far with coach Yuri,” said Fernandez, who led the Red Lions to four NCAA titles during his nine-year stint.
“Coach Yuri will run the team and I will just be there to give him advice when he needs it. The team is doing great under him and I’m so glad that he accepted the role.”
The search for the new San Beda coach had never been easy.
Sources said the Lions came up with a shortlist before deciding to tap former Letran College mentor Aldin Ayo.
But the Knights frowned on his hiring, prompting the Red Lions to drop the plan and re-open the hiring process.
Now, it seems that they made the right choice as Escueta is coming in with a lot of coaching experience following his colorful career with San Beda in high school, Ateneo de Manila University in college, and TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association before deciding to chase a coaching career.
Fernandez said he could attest to Escueta’s capacity to lead as they worked together at Gilas Pilipinas under Baldwin.