By: Ohmer Bautista
After their very first game in the NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball tournament against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, which ended in a loss, the lapses and struggles of College of Saint Benilde Blazers were apparent.
However, there was also one noticeable factor that ultimately cost them the game: Yankie Haruna and Clement Leutcheu only played in the second half. And according to Blazers head coach TY Tang, he sat them out as a penalty.
“Both Clement and Yankie are under disciplinary sanctions.
“There was already an agreement on what will happen in today’s game,” disclosed the youthful mentor.
Although the Blazers were able to keep things close approaching half time, 44-all, the lack of playing time for both stalwarts proved to be costly, as Haruna and Leutcheu finished the game with ten and six points respectively.
The Blazers were also out-rebounded by the Stags, 39-37, even though Leutcheu hauled down 10 rebounds in the second half alone.
Leutcheu understands this, saying that he trusts Tang and his process.
“We are here as brothers and we trust one another. We are in this together. Whoever is on the floor, we trust them. No matter who is in there, we are sure that he is going to give his all,” said the foreign student-athlete.
Despite the loss, the former PBA pro stands firm on his decision, and stresses that discipline is an important aspect of their rebuilding aspirations.
“Right now, we’re doing rebuilding in our team,” he shared. “We’re changing the culture and this is the part wherein we’d rather discipline than being out there to compete to win.
“In the bigger picture of things, we want them to be winners in life more than winners in game.”
