CSB hed coach Charles Tiu. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde is tempering its expectations even after opening the NCAA Season 98 with three straight wins.
The Blazers head coach Charles Tiu said his team still has a long way to go despite notching another impressive victory on Tuesday.
“It’s only been three games, we have a long way to go. We still haven’t faced Letran, San Beda and Mapua, those three teams are consistent Final Four contenders so still a long way to go for us,” Tiu said after cruising past Perpetual Help, 81-64.
Tiu said there was an added motivation in their game against the Altas, who eliminated the Blazers from playoff contention last season.
“It’s in the back of our minds that this team eliminated us last season so we wanted to kind of get back at them.”
Will Gozum, who was a member of the Mythical Team last season, powered St. Benilde with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds with two blocks to boot.
Gozum and rookie Migs Oczon, who fired 25 points in a 100-94 win over San Sebastian on Sunday, have been leading the Blazers’ campaign that saw them atop the table as the only undefeated team left.
Among the preseason favorites, CSB zoomed past the likes of defending champion Letran, San Beda and Mapua, who have as many wins as the Blazers combined.