Ex-Red Cub tapped to coach Red Lions

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda has tapped Yuri Escueta as its men’s basketball team coach for the 98th NCAA season slated to unfold on Sept. 10.

“It’s now official, Yuri Escueta is the new head coach of the San Beda Lions,” said Lions team manager Jude Roque.

Escueta will be joined by former San Beda standouts Jenkins Mesina, Alex Angeles and Francis Cruz in the coaching staff, along with ex-Ateneo player Andre Santos with former head coach Boyet Fernandez returning as a consultant.

Escueta played for the Red Cubs under the late great coach Ato Badolato before moving to Ateneo to play college ball.

This will be Escueta’s first head-coaching job after serving as assistants for Ateneo and Gilas Pilipinas for a time before joining the TNT Tropang Giga as part of Chot Reyes’ staff.

Escueta will take over the team currently seeing action in an ongoing pre-season collegiate tournament.