AS San Beda continues to gear up for its title defense, Jose Rizal University remains the one preseason hurdle the kings of the NCAA have yet to overcome.
The latest losses came in the finals of the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where the Heavy Bombers yet again got the better of the Red Lions.
READ: JRU rules Filoil for first time after sweeping San Beda
But instead of dwelling on more defeats, coach Yuri Escueta came away with a clearer understanding of why this JRU squad has become quite possibly the toughest team his side has faced and will be facing.
For the San Beda mentor, it starts with the Heavy Bombers’ title-winning additions.
“Of course, si Chris Hubilla and [Lawrence] Mangubat, those players have championship experience. They’re not pushed around,” he told SPIN.ph, referring to the blue-and-gold's transferees from Mapua's Season 100 championship team.
“Malaking addition ’yun sa JRU. ’Yan din yung core ng Mapua team na nag-champion.”
Beyond the arrival of Hubilla and Mangubat, Escueta also believes JRU has become a more complete team with imposing size, reliable shooting, and patented physicality.
“Their physicality has upped with the additions of their bigs. [Stephen] Garupil has been shooting really well, [Sean] Salvador is a shooter. Kompleto yung team,” he said.
While the Red Lions actually entered the title series riding convincing victories vs. UAAP finalists La Salle in the quarterfinals then the University of the Philippines in the semifinals, the tactician admitted familiarity with the Heavy Bombers' personnel was far from enough to turn the tide.
“Kahit familiar ka sa kanila, kahit you scheme how you defend them, madali sabihin, pero mahirap gawin,” he said.
Ball on San Beda's court
Instead, Escueta said the burden now falls on San Beda to elevate its game if it hopes to defend the crown in Season 102.
“That’s the challenge for our players, to be better individual defenders and be better as a team, defensively,” he said.
The shot-caller also pointed to one glaring statistic that swung all three of the Red Lions' losses to its preseason tormentor.
“Rebounding,” he said. “We have a lot of pride in our rebounding. These past two games, we lost the rebounding battle in both games. It’s something that we have to do better.”
Despite falling short of reclaiming the throne it last sat on in 2019, Escueta still considered San Beda’s preseason productive, highlighted by triumphs over two of the UAAP’s top teams, as well as the emergence of newcomers Dom Sarigumba and Aldous Torculas.
“Somehow satisfied. But of course, sayang yung finals,” he said. “But we're happy with how the new guys stepped up. Dom Sarigumba was a revelation. Aldous Turculas played well, also.”
Still, if the Red Lions are to repeat as champions of the 'Grand Ol' League,' Escueta believes they have a new standard to rise to.
And right now, that standard is JRU.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
