On Tuesday, 4:00 PM, at the Filoil Ecooil Centre, the College of Saint Benilde is scheduled for a bout against the season hosts, Jose Rizal University, in the second round of the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
And the stakes have never been higher.
After the Blazers’ 74-56 victory over a scrappy Arellano University, they climbed to an 8-4 record and tied themselves alongside the Heavy Bombers for the third spot in the standings.
The Blazers then defeated JRU in a highly tense, 93-85 overtime battle that played host to multiple unsportsmanlike fouls.
That win controversially ended with the Heavy Bombers squad refusing to shake hands with Benilde and its head coach, Charles Tiu.
“I think it’s a big game for us. I’m sure JRU will be pumped up to play us again. It was an ugly win for us the last time we played them; they’re a tough team, they execute well, they have some good players, so we need to bring our A-game against them; if not, they will eat us alive,” shared Tiu.
“We need to be tough to match their physicality. Hopefully, we can execute and follow our game plan, and find a way to grind out the win. I expect it to be a grind-out game, so hopefully, we’re up to the task.”
Given everything on the line record-wise, along with the recent grim history between the two squads, Tiu anticipates a highly emotional battle on Tuesday.
Because of this, he hopes his squad will be ready enough to stay mentally composed throughout it all.
“I think every game whenever we play them, it’s always competitive, it’s always high emotions, and I’m sure they don’t like us. I wouldn’t be surprised, but to us, it’s just a basketball game; it’s nothing personal.
“We need to focus on the court, no extra antics, just stick to playing basketball. It’s going to be a tough game; they prepare very well, and they’re a good team, but we need this game as much as they do. We’re both fighting for our final four hopes, so hopefully, we can escape with the win,” Tiu explained.
Adding more to the intensity of the rematch is its scheduling on November 7, which comes just one day before the anniversary of the infamous John Amores brawl in the Season 98 second-round match between Benilde and JRU.
For Tiu, though, he believes that his Blazers squad has moved past last season’s incident with Amores and the Heavy Bombers.
“I think we’re just trying to brush off that incident as much as possible. We try not to think of it; it was an ugly event that happened, but we’ve for the most part moved on. I’m happy Amores made it to the PBA, got signed to a contract, so kudos for him,” shared Tiu as Amores has since been signed to a one-year deal by Northport.
“We will just focus right now on the season. JRU’s always been a tough matchup for us, and we’re both competing for a championship.”
It becomes even more important for Tiu that his Blazers team moves on from the past. This year’s Heavy Bombers squad is much different from the one they faced in Season 98.
“It’s not like last year, where they looked good and then COVID hit them, and they just spiraled down, just didn’t have a great end to the season. Now they’re the host school; they’re a different team, and they’re playing good basketball,” said Tiu.
“We just try to focus on this year and focus on what we can control, and hopefully, we can find a way to beat them.”
Tuesday’s matchup between Benilde and the Heavy Bombers could very well decide both squads’ chances of making the Final Four.
For the Blazers, they know what needs to be done to gain the edge, and it involves keeping their minds on the game and away from the antics.
