De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu found himself at a crossroads following the Blazers’ Final Four exit in the NCAA Season 101 on Sunday.
This, as Benilde collapsed in the endgame of its do-or-die Game 3 semifinal clash against San Beda University, 84-81.
For the past four seasons, Tiu was able to bring the Blazers to the playoffs, twice to the finals in Seasons 98 and 100.
Though Tiu’s commitment to the program remained intact, he admitted that the title chase is starting to wear him down after four straight attempts, but to no avail.
“That's tough. To be honest, I still want to stay with Benilde, obviously the job's not done for us. But if I'm being completely honest, it's always a grind for me, there are days where you're like ‘Man do I still want to do this?’ It's tiring also, it's a long season, we'll have to see,” Tiu said.
“I'll have to discuss with my family, there's also pressure to just focus on the business side, there's also been some other teams from other leagues calling and opportunities are there. Obviously my heart is with Benilde, one of my goals was just to leave Benilde with a championship. Obviously this is another season that came up short but we'll have to see,” he added.
Tiu, however, remains under contract with the Taft-based squad for another year, giving him one final chance to shoot for glory before they part ways.
More importantly, he added that his next move will depend on important discussions with the team management, including his players, as he feels a huge sense responsibility for their collegiate careers.
“I still feel that I want to help these players and I just don't want that if we leave the players will not be prepared for it financially or whatever it may be. I mean, the goal's always been to help these guys, we'll have to discuss also with guys like Allen [Liwag], Justine [Sanchez], Ian [Torres] if they still want to come back next year and play for the school,” Tiu said.
“But technically we still have one more year under contract with Benilde I believe. So we'll see, I leave it up to God, leave it up to the school, if they want me we can always come back. But it's something that I also like to take a break from, it's mentally draining, it's a bit tiring also for this whole year.”
For now, Benilde’s title drought continues as it last lifted the trophy against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Season 76 in 2000.
Tiu and the Blazers will be gunning for the podium in their battle for third against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
