Bleeding red: Returning Escueta powers San Beda to NCAA victory

The journey of San Beda University coach Yuri Escueta has never been about shortcuts. It’s about preparation meeting opportunity, patience meeting pressure, and belief holding firm when expectations are at their heaviest. 

From his formative years learning the game at Ateneo de Manila University to steering the Red Lions back to the summit of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with men’s basketball titles in Seasons 99 and 101, Escueta has quietly built a coaching career rooted in culture, accountability, and faith in the process.

Escueta’s latest triumph with the Red Lions was not merely about winning a title. It was about reaffirming an identity, about resilience shaped through frustrations, pressure forged in rivalry, and trust tested in moments when key players were unavailable. 

It was also about a coach, whose calm presence mirrored the steadiness he demanded from his team.

“Of course, the winning tradition is very important when you play for San Beda,” Escueta said in an episode of “Off the Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE, last Thursday.

“For the culture that we try to build in our team in our past years, it’s very important that we stay accountable, that everyone stays resilient and, of course, what I said is very important, everyone should stay humble.”

Coaching vocation

For Escueta, calling the shots for the Red Lions was a sweet homecoming.

Before being appointed as head coach, Escueta served as the chief playmaker of the Red Cubs when they were still under the tutelage of legendary Ato Badolato. 

Escueta said it was Badolato who planted the seeds of hard work, excellence and winning tradition into his heart early on.

“The winning attitude and experience were taught to me early by my high school coach (Badolato). I learned from him what San Beda basketball is all about, its excellence and winning tradition early in my basketball career and taught us, his players, how to be winners,” said Escueta, who dedicated his first NCAA title as head coach to his late former mentor.

“I always try to talk to him when I’m by myself. I would like to offer this championship as a thank you to him.”

From the NCAA, Escueta jumped ship to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), where he joined Ateneo de Manila University — the same school where his cousin Olsen Racela got his start in the collegiate ranks.

But while most collegiate players are dreaming of making it big in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the current TNT Tropang Giga assistant coach found a different calling.

“When I was still playing in the UAAP, I was really inspired by my coaches. They’re a big influence on me as a player and had a big impact on me,” said Escueta, who was part of the great Ateneo team of coach Norman Black when it won a UAAP title in 2008.

“I wanted to be on that side.”

Escueta returned to Ateneo in 2016 to be an assistant coach to former Gilas Pilipinas tactician Tab Baldwin, helping him win three straight UAAP titles from 2017 to 2019.

He is also part of the Tropang Giga’s coaching staff since 2019 and working with another former Gilas tactician in Chot Reyes.

But little did he know his time learning from some of the brightest minds in Philippine basketball would prepare him for something bigger.

Coming home

In July of 2022, a small miracle happened. San Beda was in search of a new coach after losing to Mapua University in the Final Four to miss the finals of NCAA Season 97. 

With Boyet Fernandez being let go, the Red Lions prepared a shortlist of candidates composed of former PBA mentors and collegiate big shots who are capable of turning their fortunes around.

But the 24-time NCAA champions had other plans. They opted to hire a “San Beda guy” in Escueta.

While his debut season as a head coach in Season 98 fell short in making it back to the finals, Escueta was still able to showcase his tactical prowess the following year.

In fact, he turned what was expected to be a losing season into a victorious year as they finished third with a 12-6 record in the double round eliminations of Season 99.

Bannered by the likes of Jacob Cortez, Peter Alfaro, Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno and Finals Most Valuable player James Payosing, the Lions won their 23rd crown at the expense of the Cardinals despite having no player clinch an individual award.

“Not to be arrogant, we know what our capabilities are. We had each other’s backs,” Escueta said.

“Aside from the tradition, it’s about doing your best every time. That has been the mantra of San Beda basketball. You have to excel in everything you do.”

Despite Cortez moving to De La Salle University the following year, San Beda remained competitive. They, however, failed to defend their title after losing to College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four.

Rivalry

Eventually, San Beda made its way back to the NCAA finals in Season 101 with Andrada, Bryan Sajonia and Filipino-American rookie Janti Miller at the firing end.

But standing in the Red Lions’ road to glory was their old rival — Letran College.

With both squads facing each other for the first time in the finals since 2019, Escueta knew they can’t easily underestimate the Knights, who were led by a brilliant tactician in Allen Ricardo and Rookie of the Year Jonathan Manalili.

“It was more of us knowing the importance of how to prepare properly against a team that  is really packed with talent like Letran,” Escueta said.

“We just focused and prepared really well knowing that Letran beat us in the second game.”

The Lions secured the victory, 89-70, in Game 1 of their best-of-three series. But it wasn’t easy as Miller was suspended for Game 2 after getting slapped with two technical fouls.

But Escueta already knew what to do even without his prized rookie.

“We already knew before practice so mentally, we were prepared,” Escueta said.

Game 2 showcased San Beda’s depth and Escueta’s ability to adjust as they booked a convincing 83-71 triumph to lift the school’s 24th men’s basketball title in front of a roaring crowd in red.

Although it was already a mission accomplished, Escueta still believes that championships are milestones — not the endpoints. 

From Ateneo to San Beda, from learning to leading, his journey reflects a coach who understands that winning begins long before the final buzzer — in preparation, in culture, and in the quiet confidence of staying true to the process.