San Beda coach Yuri Escueta during a game against Mapua in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—To some, having one responsibility is tough enough and two is just too much. But for Yuri Escueta, serving two roles is nothing but a blessing.
Aside from calling the shots for defending NCAA champion San Beda, Escueta is also one of Chot Reyes’ assistant coaches at TNT in the PBA.
“It’s a blessing for me to be able to coach two teams. That’s my perspective. It’s a big blessing and I’m thankful for the MVP group for the trust and opportunity,” said Escueta with a smile, even after San Beda’s 58-55 loss to Mapua in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
READ: NCAA: Hubilla, Cuenco push Mapua past San Beda
“In order to repay them, I have to work doubly hard with my college team and with the pro team,” he added in an interview with Inquirer Sports.
The Red Lions succumbed to the Cardinals in a Season 99 Finals rematch but instead of frowning after the game, the young mentor kept his head high.
Maybe it’s because San Beda remains in a good position as the Final Four race heats up. Or maybe because the Tropang Giga kept their title repeat bid alive after returning to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Escueta is also grateful to be around multi-titled mentors like Reyes and gain invaluable lessons and experiences.
READ: NCAA: Yuri Escueta confident San Beda holdovers can get job done
“The TNT coaches have such an influence on me here in San Beda,” said Escueta.
“It’s a huge impact for me to have coach Chot. I’m very thankful for the coaches because we have similarities in our systems.”
Under Reyes, TNT has evolved into one of the best defensive teams in the PBA and it seems that Escueta has picked up a thing or two in transforming San Beda into a defensive juggernaut as well. In fact, the Red Lions own the league’s top defense, holding their opponents to just 64.9 points per game.
“For some reason, TNT is a defensive team in the PBA and I’d like to think we’re a defensive team as well.”
READ: TNT rolls past Ginebra in PBA Finals opener
There are days when Escueta will have his hands full coaching San Beda in the afternoon before rushing to join TNT later in the day.
October 20 wasn’t one of those days but Escueta still left San Juan Arena early for some scouting report on the other PBA semifinal duel between Ginebra and San Miguel. The Gin Kings eventually won and arranged a Finals rematch with the Tropang Giga.
“I’d rather coach two, three or four teams and go from venue to venue than stay eight hours in a desk job in an office. This is something I like doing.”