NCAA: CSB, motivated and focused, flicks away Letran for vital win

CSB coach Charles Tiu appeals a call to the referee during a game against Letran in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.-NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—What was deemed a grudge match between last season’s finalists College of St. Benilde and Letran, Blazers coach Charles Tiu felt it was best for his team to just focus on getting a much-needed win and not on the narrative.

The Blazers did exactly just that and cruised to a 68-55 victory over the defending champions on Sunday.

“We tried not to talk too much about the past since, I guess, everybody knows they beat us in the finals last year so they should be motivated, but we just talked about both these teams needing a win,” said Tiu.

“We were focused. This was our most focused game this year so I’m thankful for the results.”

Benilde did not fool around on defense against Letran, suffocating the Knights for a measly 27 percent shooting from the field.

Migs Oczon, who scored a team-high 15 points, agreed with Tiu, saying that they didn’t need any more reminders about facing the team that beat them for the championship last year.

“It’s a given that the motivation was there, given that we lost to them in the finals and coach (Charles Tiu) didn’t emphasize anything… At this point, a win is a win. It’s still the eliminations. At the end of the day, we want to be champions, that’s our main goal this season and that’s where we’re focused,” said Oczon who also finished with six rebounds and six assists.

The Blazers tote a 5-4 record heading into the second round where key cog Miggy Corteza and reigning MVP Will Gozum are expected to show their true form.

Slowly getting back into their rhythm, Corteza and Gozum combined for 19 points and 18 rebounds against the Knights.

“I want to see more. I want to be greedy. I want double-doubles from them every game. It’s a big turnaround because if they don’t rebound, we don’t win games,” said Tiu.

“But we hit stops and rebounds, I think that was the difference for this game.”

The Blazers continue their Season 99 campaign on Friday when they start their second-round campaign against Arellano, which holds a 1-8 record.