Yuri Escueta named new San Beda Red Lions’ head coach

FILE– Yuri Escueta. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda has tapped Yuri Escueta as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team for NCAA Season 98.

The school released a statement, welcoming the former San Beda high school star, who played under coach Ato Badolato in the juniors division.

The ex-Ateneo Blue Eagle replaced Boyet Fernandez, who was promoted to Red Lions’ active consultant.

Fernandez delivered four crowns for San Beda but missed this year’s finals for the first time since 2005 after losing to Mapua in the Final Four of Season 97.

Escueta ‘s coaching staff is composed of ex-Red Lions Jenkins Mesina, Alex Angeles, and Francis Cruz as well as former Ateneo player Andre Santos.

The new San Beda coach is bringing his experience as a former Ateneo and Gilas assistant coach. He is currently working as Chot Reyes’ deputy at TNT in the PBA

“Yuri returns to his high school alma mater with a rich basketball coaching knowledge gained from several outstanding tacticians from his college days to his various coaching stints as assistant coach for Ateneo, Gilas, and TNT,” read the team’s statement.

Escueta is expected to make his coaching debut in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where San Beda is slated in Group B.

The Red Lions will debut on Sunday against the De La Salle Green Archers.