ANTIPOLO CITY – College of Saint Benilde ended its magical run in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament in disappointing fashion after losing against defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran 67-81, Sunday at the Ynares Center here.
It was not the dream ending the Blazers and their head coach Charles Tiu had in mind but it was still an amazing journey nonetheless.
“My biggest takeaway is I have a pretty good team and, more importantly, better people, that’s all that is to me.
“To me, basketball is just a hobby, I just enjoy competing, but we’re doing this to try to give back,” gushed the youthful coach, who is also an entrepreneur.
Flashback to December 2, 2021 when it was announced that Tiu will replace TY Tang as the successor and head coach of the Blazers. After a rough Season 97 campaign, the Blazers were on a roll in Season 98.
Tiu finally led the school to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years and they eventually featured in their first finals appearance since 2002.
“And, you know, we started this with Coach TY [Tang]. We didn’t want to leave the program in shambles, we just wanted to see the fruits of our hard work come out. And, it’s nice; it’s starting to show a little bit,” shared Tiu.
“But more than anything, when I decided to stay with Benilde was really to help these guys. I didn’t wanna leave these guys after the pandemic in the air. We want to help these guys, really that’s all there is to me.”
The assistant coach of Meralco Bolts also was proud of his team on what they showed in game three of the finals – they earned the respect of each and every team this season as they stayed composed.
In game three of the finals, though, the Knights limited their field goal all throughout with only 11-of-34 shooting. Still, Tiu commended Letran as it adjusted to beating them via a 67-81- lopsided loss.
“I’m proud of the team for sure, I’m proud of how they’ve conducted themselves `throughout the year on and off the court. I think they earned a lot of respect there. Obviously, very disappointed with this game,” he said as the Blazers experienced a lot this season — including John Amores going amok on their team.
“Actually, to me, I really just want to win for these guys, for the school. Obviously, the work they put in, and how good they are as players. You know, I can’t ask for a better team, ambabait talaga, they’re all respectful — walang sakit sa ulo,” he added.
“So, yeah that’s why really wanted to win, but it was tough give credit to Letran they’ve played great they showed why they’re the champions. They made the right adjustments. Then we just got beaten, so I tip my hat off to their team.”
Despite so many achievements this year, the CSB’s championship drought has been extended to another year. Tiu remained happy with how his players conducted themselves. Still, next season the Blazers will double the work and improve to reach their rightful goal.
“So, I’m happy with the way they’ve been responding, the way they play. You can’t say anything about our guys, they’re classy people, so that’s good for me.”
But, obviously, we still have to get better. I mean we were not good enough to be champions just yet, so we just have to keep working, and try to improve,” Tiu reiterated.
