FIVE games into the NCAA Season 101, San Beda might already have the best resume among all teams in the tournament.
From its opening day win over preseason favorite College of St. Benilde, to its takedown of arch rival Letran, to now with its dominant win over defending champion Mapua – people who’ve overlooked the Red Lions to start the season are definitely taking notice now, especially after that 79-70 win over the Cardinals on Friday.
READ: San Beda bares fangs in NCAA S101 with takedown of Mapua
But despite their highly impressive start to the tournament, one they did even with key guys like Yukien Andrada and Jomel Puno missing games early, coach Yuri Escueta isn’t about to get overly excited.
“Well natalo kami sa JRU e,” Escueta said referring to their 67-66 loss to the Heavy Bombers, noting how there’s a whole lot to work on even after their good start.
“It’s just the eliminations. It’s a long way to go. Of course it’s good for our confidence to beat the defending champions, the number one seeded team, beat the number two seeded team but it doesn’t mean anything,” he continued.
“The most important thing is the last game of the season. We’re far from that. Hopefully the stars align, we don’t get injured, everyone stays healthy and we’ll see.”
Still, Escueta is giving credit where credit is due, especially with how his boys came out in their first crossover match this season, and how they responded after the Cardinals made a run in the second half.
The Red Lions jumped to an early 19-point lead against the Cardinals in the first half before repelling every rally from the champions to take a comfortable win in the end game.
“Winning against Mapua is always welcome, that’s very positive for us as a team. Knowing that they’re the defending champions,” he said.
The win over Mapua also meant that it got one of the powerhouses of Group A out of the way, one they won’t have to face again up until maybe deep into the playoffs of the tournament.
For Escueta, they’re entering the most crucial stretch of their elimination round campaign now – especially if they want to rule over the so-called ‘Group of Death’ and get a twice-to-beat advantage come the quarterfinals.
“Yung crossover, I just told them that we can’t take these teams easily simply because they’re not in our bracket,” he said.
“Cause if we lose, or win here, it’s a +2 on our bracket because while the wins or lose dito doesn’t count sa quotient, pero parang minus 2 or plus 2 ka dun sa di mo ka-bracket so mas-importante yung crossover wins,” he added.
“Itong second round na’to importante samin yung every win. We have to get as many wins as we can.”
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.
