BY MILES ARCENAL
EVEN in defeat, San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta saw reasons to be encouraged.
The Red Lions dropped an 88-85 triple overtime classic against NCAA Season 101 leaders Perpetual Altas on Wednesday, but more so than the heartbreak, Escueta sees this as something that could be a rallying point for them and their championship aspirations.
“Sabi ko nga, as I told the team, we were one step away, one good decision away, probably one good execution away,” Escueta said.
“This is a good situation that we experienced and we’ll experience the same thing in the future. At least we’ll learn from this and we’ll be better when the situation comes again.”
READ: Perpetual proves mettle after outlasting San Beda in 3OT classic
The Red Lions fell behind early before clawing their way back - a reversal of their usual form in their previous outings where they often control games from start to finish.
But for Escueta, it was a test of both composure and character.
“Well, yun nga, we started flat. They came up with a big lead at the start, so good thing we were able to catch up,” he told the SPIN.ph.
“Sa mga past games namin, we were leading all the way. This time, kami ‘yung humabol. So at least that experience, that situation happened to us.”
The Mendiola-based squad had multiple chances to end the game with the help of Janti Miller’s heroics, but they just couldn’t get the job done.
“We could have been one basket away, we could have been one good stop, one good communication that could have ended in a stop, or a better execution on offense,” he said.
In a game that needed three extra periods, it wasn’t just a test of endurance, the shot-caller also stressed how crucial mental toughness is in such situations.
“Ako, as a coach, I always preach to my players that we have to handle our emotions properly,” Escueta said.
“Basketball’s a thinking game. You have to be more mentally focused kaysa emotionally invested.”
Even after dropping to 6–2 with the loss, San Beda remains atop of the so called ‘Pool of Death’ as it shifts its focus to its next assignment against Lyceum on November 4 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
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