NCAA: Benilde coach Charles Tiu blasts team after upset loss to EAC

College of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu. NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu was fuming after his team’s upset loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

Tiu had every reason to be displeased with the Blazers blowing a golden opportunity to solidify their hold of the top spot against the worst team in the league.

“I’ve been too nice to these guys. I let them get away with a lot of things, give them a lot of freedom, and when you give that freedom, you expect responsibility,” Tiu said after the 80-75 setback that gave the Generals their first taste of victory in the season after a 0-9 start.

“I think they’ve been abusing our kindness,” he added.

CSB turned the ball over 18 times and only had two fastbreak points while also shooting just 35.6 percent from the field.

Skipper JC Cullar huddled his teammates after the stunning loss but even that irked Tiu, who would rather see his wards do what is expected of them instead of just talking.

“I’m tired of everybody saying all the right things, but when you go out there you have to back it up. You just have to do it. We haven’t achieved anything,” Tiu said.

Will Gozum served as the silver lining for Benilde with 19 points and nine rebounds.

The Blazers dropped to 7-2 but remained in first place after second running Lyceum (7-3) was also upset by Mapua earlier.