San Beda embraces tough challenge as team to beat

San Beda Red Lions after winning the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball title, sweeping rivals Letran Knights in the Finals.– CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

San Beda has been considered the team to beat in nearly every NCAA season since its rise as a men’s basketball powerhouse.

That label carries even more weight entering Season 102, where the Red Lions will try to win back-to-back championships.

Fortunately for coach Yuri Escueta, the burden of heavy expectations is nothing new.

“Pressure has always been there every time you coach or play for San Beda,” Escueta told the Inquirer after the NCAA Season 102 press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday. “The expectation of winning comes with it, and we’ve been used to it for the past four or five seasons.”

“It’s not just for me but for the players I have. We just have to prepare better when we play games to ease that pressure.”

San Beda made it look easy in last season’s finals.

With many expecting the showdown between rivals San Beda and Letran to go the distance, Escueta guided the Mendiola-based squad to a sweep and the school’s 24th men’s basketball title.

But that was last year.

With a new television deal with Cignal and several coaches and players moving across the league, the country’s oldest collegiate league enters Season 102 with a fresh coat of paint.

The same is true for the Red Lions, who lost all five starters from last season’s championship team.

“We’re still confident even though we lost a lot,” Escueta said. “We have capable guys who can cover for those gaps. I lost all my starters from last year.”

Janti Miller left for La Salle, while Joe Celzo, Bryan Sajonia and Yukien Andrada declared for the PBA.

Nygel Gonzales was supposed to be the lone holdover from that starting five, but he suffered an ACL injury during the offseason, leaving the Red Lions with another major concern before their title defense even begins.

“Our title defense hasn’t even started yet and we already lost our point guard to injury,” Escueta said.

“Good thing we addressed it early because we had to play in the offseason without him.”

Before San Beda’s playoff run last season, the Red Lions finished the double-round elimination round with a 9-4 record. INQ