Three straight seasons the green-and-white of Taft Avenue was bannered proudly in the NCAA Final Four– all thanks to a strong-willed program steered by Charles Tiu. In those years, however, a Benilde title has been so near yet so far.
For a team as powerhouse as the Blazers, the challenge of relinquishing the title poses a uniquely good problem, and Tiu wants their focus only on themselves as they try to make NCAA Season 101 the year they finally hoist another championship trophy after 25 years.
TOUGH ROAD, GOOD CHALLENGE
The Benilde Blazers brace for a tough group play in NCAA Season 101, with the Taft-based squad joining early favorites San Beda and Letran, consistent contender EAC, and a retooled JRU in Group B.
Blazers head coach Charles Tiu, however, remains optimistic despite the rough road to the championship.
“It’s a tough group for us but I really feel if you want to win the championship, you have to find your way to win in your group anyways, that's what a true championship is like,” Charles Tiu told GMA Synergy in an exclusive interview.
This, after the NCAA announced a brand new format that divides the tournament into two brackets, with Group A clumping NCAA kings Mapúa and fourth-placer LPU with the revamping squads of Perpetual, San Sebastian, and Arellano.
“Even if our group is arguably tougher, it's a good challenge for us, and it is part of the process, facing the best teams,” he noted, referring to the seemingly tougher competition in Group B which features Season 99 champions San Beda Red Lions, perennial contenders Letran Knights, last year’s fifth-placer EAC Generals, and a young JRU squad.
The process en route to a Benilde championship is as challenging as it gets, but Tiu likes the chances of his Season 101 troops, beefed up by the likes of hefty stretch big Shawn Umali, high-flyer SJ Moore, athletic forward Raffy Celis, defensive stalwart Jake Gaspay, and floor-spacer Bonn Daja.
“SJ has improved so much since he got here. When he first arrived I would've said he wouldn't have made the team, but he’s worked on his game, and he’s learning, he's trying his best to improve and I appreciate that,” Tiu lauded the debuting Moore whose athleticism he believes will improve their arsenal.
“By far I haven’t seen a guy jump as high as he does for a long time,” he added.
The addition of ex-Pirate Shawn Umali, meanwhile, makes for a massive addition to their front court.
“Shawn gives us toughness, inside and outside presence. I love his leadership, he is a good guy and he has improved his attitude too– which was a bit of a concern for me. So I am happy to see those guys,” Tiu said.
BLAZING INTO SEASON 101
Despite a heartbreaker during the centennial season’s grand finale, where the Allen Liwag-led Blazers got swept to eventual champions Mapúa, Tiu still lauds his boys for “giving their all.”
“We’re always thankful to them for all their hard work throughout the years. We obviously fell short of our goal last year but you can't ask for more, they made their sacrifices, played as hard as they could, maybe we just gave into the pressure we weren't ready for the big moment with that group of guys,” Tiu reflected.
The past three seasons have been some of the Benilde Blazers’ best years since winning their lone NCAA trophy some 25 years ago– that’s two finals appearances and a bronze medal under Tiu’s tutelage.
“It’s already an achievement to make the finals, because it's just very hard to make the playoffs. I mean a few years back Benilde never even sniffed the final four for 20 plus years so anytime you go that far it's still an accomplishment. Hopefully we bounce back next year– that's the message,” he noted.
Tiu also gave props to NCAA teams he believes have had a productive offseason.
“I think they're a lot of contenders this year. Arellano has improved, Perpetual has improved, EAC is there, Mapúa are the defending champs, but, obviously Letran and San Beda are two of the biggest favorites this year,” said the the 36-year-old coach, “but for us, it's just about focusing on ourselves and trying to get better everyday, finding ways to improve, learning more about each other and ways to win games. That’s what the whole offseason was all about.”
Asked what his goalpost is for the upcoming Season 101, Tiu simply wants a championship.
“Every year my goal is always to win the championship, so everytime we fall short it is a bit of a failure for me. Hopefully we win the championship this year, because we've been saying that ‘sana it’s our year na,’ and I felt like we had our chances every year.”
With reigning MVP-Defensive Player of the Year Allen Liwag and vets Justine Sanchez, Winston Ynot, and Gab Cometa still manning the fort, and a bunch of new Blazers entering the fray, Tiu is hopeful their time is now.
“We are just enjoying the moment, enjoying the season. You never know what God has in store for you, we never know if we’ll have this opportunity again so anytime you get a chance to play with your teammates to represent your school, you gotta make the most out of it,” he concluded.
