Just like his fiery mentor in the pros, Yeng Guiao, TY Tang did not mince his words late in the first half of the Saint Benilde Blazers’ game against San Beda Red Lions.
But what he did not expect was two quick technical fouls that led to his early exit from the game.
“According to them, yung una is for entering the court. Yung pangalawa, unsportsmanlike behavior daw. Pero parang for me, ang dami namang coaches na ang daming iba-ibang ginagawa,” rued the youthful mentor.
“Siguro natipuhan lang ako. Gwapo ako eh.”
With just six seconds left in the second quarter and Benilde down 25-44, Tang stormed onto the court after refs did not give a call he felt his team deserved. Officials slapped Tang with a technical foul for going to the court.
A few seconds later, they assessed him with a second one for unsportsmanlike behavior.
“For me, in my opinion, I think, one technical would be sufficient for what I did. I mean, I admit that I went to the court, I did complain to the referees. But I feel an ejection just because of, you know, one complaint – I think it’s too much. That’s too quick.”
Unfortunately, Tang’s ejection failed to motivate the Blazers. They were outclassed by the defending, three-time champions, falling 57-88. Their total scoring output was their season-worst.
Suffering back-to-back defeats after a 5-0 start, Tang fears a repeat of what happened to them last year. Back in Season 94, Benilde were off to a strong start – even in the top three of the field during the first round. However, the Blazers could not adjust in the second half, resulting to another Final Four absence.
“Our concern right now is, basically whatever happened last season is basically happening against us again.
“Right now, it’s basically the challenges up ahead. But you know, all the leaders, all the coaches or motivators out there, they’ll always tell you that for you to be able to overcome something, you just have to barge through it. There’s no going around it except to go through it. That’s the only way,” shared Tang.
With or without him on Tuesday, Tang is hoping the Blazers will snap out of their funk come Tuesday when they face another contender – this time, the Letran Knights.
