For a champion team like the San Beda Red Lions, grinding it out on the hardcourt can take a toll on the players — both physically and mentally.
San Beda coach Yuri Escueta is well aware of this fact and as they seek for back-to-back NCAA titles, the third-year shot-caller makes sure everything is covered as far as his players' health is concerned.
In taking care of their mental health, Escueta didn't have to look that far with former Red Lion Ralph Penuala stepping in to join his coaching staff. The ex-team captain, who is currently studying psychology in San Beda and who last suited up for the team in Season 98, has introduced the practice of meditation into the Red Lions' routine in practices and games.
"Meron kaming support group. Meron kaming physical trainers, meron kaming spiritual, and them meron kaming mental," Escueta told GMA News Online.
"Part ng support group namin is ‘yung mental health. Ralph being a Psych major sa San Beda, so part nu’ng mental health ng players ay we have ‘yung meditation for their mental well-being."
[We have support groups. We have physical trainers, we have spiritual and then we have mental. Part of our support group is for mental health. Ralph being a Psych major in San Beda. Part of our mental health practice for the players is meditation for their mental well-being.]
This has been effective in changing the way the Red Lions approach the season, especially in a league where games are always high in pressure.
"Meron silang every after practices, meron minsan before a game so about mindset and positivity and gratefulness. Mahalaga siya kasi physical covered sa amin, spiritual meron din, and ‘yung mental din with Ralph," Escueta added.
[They have a session after every practice, sometimes before a game so it's about mindset and positivity and gratefulness. It's good because we have the physical covered, we have the spiritual covered, and we have the mental with Ralph.]
Jomel Puno, San Beda's leading scorer after eight games, said having regular meditation is instrumental to their development.
The 6-foot-6 big man is currently averaging 13.13 points, 7.25 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.75 steals in Season 100 to help the defending champions soar to a 5-3 slate after a shaky start to the season.
"He’s helping us out as a part of the coaching staff. He’s been helping all the players do extra, he’s always available. But one of the biggest things he’s been doing for us is he’s hosting a meditation for all the players," Puno shared.
"With this kind of league, we gotta be strong physically obviously but mentally also. And the meditation has been helping us a lot."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
