De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde have been through the ringer these past couple of weeks, with their last four games being against teams with good records. However, despite being dealt with a tough schedule, last year’s finalists have been able to rise to the top and cop three wins.
For their efforts, the Taft-based squad have booked their place into the quarterfinals, and more importantly secured a twice-to-beat advantage.
After their most recent victory against Jose Rizal University on Tuesday, Benilde head coach Charles Tiu lauded his team’s resolve and growth over this difficult stretch.
“We told them that it’s going to be a challenging year. From the start of the season, we’ve seen that every team can upset any team…But I do like the fact that we’ve been playing better at the right time, we’re starting to figure things out.”
Despite their last group play game against Emilio Aguinaldo College being a non-bearing bout, the Benilde tactician expects nothing but continued improvement from his troops.
“For us it’s about building the right habits and playing the right way. Our goal is to win every game. So, we have to play basketball the right way. I wanted to give some guys some minutes, get their confidence back, and get them ready and in rhythm.”
“Everybody was saying we're one of the favorites, but that doesn't mean anything…I think we have a lot of room to improve if we want to contend for a championship,” added Tiu.
A figuratively and literally big reason for Benilde's continued success is center Shawn Umali, who posted a career-high of 28 points in his team’ win against JRU.
For Umali, the absence of reigning Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag was a call to take it upon himself to anchor the CSB paint.
“Binigyan din ako ng green light ni Coach Charles pagdating din talaga sa ganyan, sa leadership. Hindi naman nabago sa akin yun since nung paglipat ko sa kanila. Tapos sa offense naman, yun nga, kung kaya ko daw, i-go ko lang–talagang bigay lang talaga 'yung best ko,” Umali said.
(Coach Charles gave me the green light when it comes to things like that, in leadership. It's not new to me since I transferred here. And on offfense, yeah, if I can do it, just go, just really give my best.)
And when Umali is resting on the sidelines, the big man's steadfast guidance to his fellow teammates is a big boost so that there is no let up in performance on the court.
“Sinabi lang din naman samin ni Coach Charles na magtrabaho lang kami talaga sa pagdating sa court. Syempre, alam naman natin JRU kumbaga, sa game nila, marami silang upset na laro eh. Kumbaga may tulog din talaga kami sa kanila. Kaya yun nga, sabi ni Coach Charles, hindi madali yung game na 'to.”
(Coach Charles just told us to work. Of course, we know JRU, their game, they have a lot of upsets. There's a chance we could lose to them. That's why Coach Charles warned us this game was not going to be easy,)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
