NCAA: Yuri Escueta believes coach Rensy Bajar will find footing in Letran

Rensy Bajar calls the shots for Letran against San Beda.-NCAA Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Coach Rensy Bajar hasn’t been delivering all that well for Letran in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.

For one, the defending champions are still winless after four games in a season where they are aiming for a four-peat.

If there’s anyone who can understand him more, though, it’s San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

This time last year, Escueta was in the same position that Bajar is currently in: a newly-minted rookie coach for a storied collegiate team.

“We know what they’re capable of. Rough start but it’s a long season… I’m sure they will come back from this 0-4 start. Knowing coach Rensy, I’m sure he will prepare his boys,” said Escueta after their win over Letran, 68-63, at San Juan Arena on Friday.

“If it’s your first season, you really have to find your footing. Being an assistant is different from being a head [coach].”

While Escueta was steering the Red Lions in his rookie-coach season, Bajar was helping then-coach Bonnie Tan for Letran.

Fortune favored Escueta, though, as he successfully put San Beda in the Final Four picture in his first year as top tactician.

While that’s not looking like the case for the Knights at the moment, Escueta believes Letran can still put up a fight in the young season.

One of the reasons for the Knights’ weak showing so far, according to Escueta, is the depletion of the three-peat squad’s core composed of Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso and King Caralipio.

“He also lost most of his core players, which is tough but as I said, they’re going to be okay. I’m sure they’ll come back stronger after this game. They’ll be more bonded.”

“They’re going to be fine, I’m sure, with coach Rensy.”