San Beda’s Yukien Andrada. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—If San Beda hasn’t made it clear yet, it’s now obvious that the Red Lions are determined to defend the NCAA men’s basketball crown without their previous top star, Jacob Cortez.
In fact, coach Yuri Escueta said that he may have found the Red Lions’ new high-point man.
Unsurprisingly, it was someone who already did wonder for San Beda in the form of Yukien Andrada.
“We’re not really looking for him much but the ball just goes to him,” said Escueta with Inquirer Sports.
READ: NCAA: Yukien Andrada, Jacob Cortez relish San Beda’s return to Finals
“The good thing about Yuki is, he’s smart. He knows his decision-making is right most of the time. He knows how the system is already so the role given to him as a leader is a bit bigger compared to last year. Last year, he was in the backseat in terms of leadership and now it’s needed because we have a new core.”
Andrada was one of the Red Lions’ main gunners in their Season 99 championship.
The sharpshooting forward was the second-leading scorer of San Beda last year with averages of 12.81 points and 5.63 rebounds per game.
San Beda will take a hit next season with the departure of Cortez, who averaged 15.39 points per game, but that’s where the challenge comes in for Andrada and the new Red Lions.
READ: NCAA: Yuri Escueta, San Beda prepared if Jacob Cortez leaves
“It’s going to be a challenge for him to balance that leadership role and being able to play and perform at the same time.”
Thankfully for Escueta, Andrada and his new wards are prepared to take on the challenge of making a name for themselves sans Cortez.
The problem now lies on the coaching staff and how they’d reduce their pool to the final lineup come September.
“Here in the offseason, I use everyone, I let everyone play. There are no Final 12, 15 nor 18 yet. It’s going to be a challenge for us coaches to cut that down. It’s a blessing at the same time, a hard thing for us to decide the final lineup.”