Coach Charles Tiu and the College of St. Benilde Blazers during a game against the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Final Four.-NCAA Photo
MANILA, Philippines—St. Benilde College coach Charles Tiu has no shortage of confidence in his team as the Blazers returned to the finals after defeating San Beda in the NCAA Season 100 Final Four.
The Blazers defeated the Red Lions 79-63 on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome in their second final in three years.
Article continues after this ad
While there are some obvious similarities between his Season 98 and Season 100 team, Tu believes there are bigger differences that boost his confidence even more.
READ: NCAA: Benilde beats San Beda, returns to final against Mapua
Second #NCAFinals Coach Charles TU and CSB Blazers in three seasons. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/mH3Se43h1n
– Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) 23 November 2024
“I think we have a strong team. We’ve got guys on this team who are a little more physically gifted.
Article continues after this ad
“This is a completely new team, I think I only have five guys from the previous team, but we worked hard in the offseason to prepare and give guys the opportunity to have this moment and we performed. I think we’re a much deeper team than we were in that finals team, hopefully that shows in that finals series.”
Like TU’s Season 98 team, the current Blazers have a solid force in the middle in the form of Alan Liwag, who is set to become Benilde’s latest NCAA MVP in 2022, succeeding former star center Will Gozum.
Liwag showed why he is the anchor for Benilde by putting up 20 points and eight rebounds against San Beda.
Like Gozm in the past, Liwag was also surrounded by shooters like Tony Ynot and Jhomel Ancheta, who added 17 and 11 points, respectively, against the Red Lions.
Unlike the Season 98 team, which lost to three-peat-seeking Letran in the championship round, Benilde will face Mapua in the finals this time.
READ: NCAA: Mapua returns to final after Clint Escamis has career game
Still, that doesn’t mean Ty and company are taking things lightly against the Cardinals, who are the top seed for a reason.
“Mapua is a very physical team, they have dogs, they’ve got an MVP in Clint Escamis, they have a lot of guys who can really score so we need to be strong physically and mentally.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“Obviously, it’s still a new team, but hopefully as we get stronger, I hope we don’t have any more nerves in the finals.”
The first game of the best-of-three title series between Benilde and Mapua begins on December 1 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
