By all accounts, Jose Rizal University’s 87-71 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran is an upset.
After all, the Heavy Bombers have been an embattled bunch since the start of the second round while the defending champions are a class above the rest.
But for College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu, they saw the result coming from a mile away.
Wasn’t really a stunner. Saw it coming from a mile. Lol.
— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) November 23, 2022
“Wasn’t really a stunner. Saw it coming from a mile. Lol,” he tweeted.
Come to think of it, he might have a point.
Heading into the game, the Blazers were sporting a 14-4 record — just half-a-game ahead of the 13-4 Knights.
If Letran defeated JRU, they would have notched top seed by virtue of them owning the quotient advantage over CSB.
That would have set them up with a semifinals showdown with San Beda University.
Though it would have been a dream semis for fans, it would have been a nightmare for the Knights as the Red Lions have owned them this season, losing 76-68 in the first round and 91-77 just last week.
So on paper, Lyceum of the Philippine University would have been a better match-up for Letran.
Though the Knights lost to the Pirates 82-75 in the first round, they did not have Louie Sangalang and Brent Paraiso during that game as they were serving suspensions.
Letran was able to get the win back in the second round with a 69-64 win.
That might be the reason why CSB expected Letran to lose — to gain a “more favorable” semis clash.
