Tiu eyes more improvement as Blazers ramp up preparations for centennial NCAA

CSB coach Charles Tiu. –NCAA PHOTO

Charles Tiu’s arrival at College of St. Benilde marked a new era for its basketball program, with the Blazers becoming a legitimate title contender in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Since Tiu took the helm, the Blazers have consistently made the Final Four but are still counting down to ending a 23-year title drought.

And with Season 100 just around the corner, Benilde again looks like a fearsome force, with the Blazers carving out a blistering seven-game winning run in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

“I can’t complain, at least we’re getting [to win] a lot of games,” Tiu told the Inquirer after the Blazers fended off comeback attempts by Perpetual Help in a 77-72 victory on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Despite having to push through without his valuable pieces like Justin Sanchez, Mark Sangco and Gab Cometa, Tiu is focused on giving his wards more experience before the real challenge begins.

Same mistakes

That inexperience of the Blazers showed after blowing a 19-point lead against the Altas, who amped up their defensive intensity coming from the dugout after halftime.

Perpetual forced turnovers to manufacture six straight points to narrow the deficit to just four before John Paul Boral and Shawn Orgo tied the game at 60-all and brought the fight to the Blazers.

“It’s been happening again and again, the guys are relaxing, playing overconfident,” Tiu said. “We have to be sharper, a bit more disciplined in whatever we are doing because whenever we have a big lead, our game changes.”

Benilde only got over the hump after John Morales completed a spin move to break the Altas’ defense for some breathing room, 73-65.

Morales and Matthew Oli took over the leadership role left by their seasoned teammates and came up with 14 points apiece to pace Benilde.

Jhommel Ancheta also finished with 13 points from a 7-of-9 clip for the charity stripe while Ian Torres had 11 points.

Tiu also hopes for Tony Ynot, who transferred from San Beda with Sanchez, and Allen Liwag, formerly a big man of Emilio Aguinaldo College, to pick up the baton in the absence of their teammates.

“[They] have to step up and deliver because we’re putting a lot of responsibility on them … They’re a big part of our team so hopefully they perform,” Tiu said.

“We believe in what we are doing, we trust our system,” Tiu added. “It’s just a matter of getting everybody to buy in, developing the players and becoming a solid team. I think we’ll be able to compete in the NCAA.”