NCAA: Allen Liwag owes stellar campaign to coach Charles Tiu

Allen Liwag looks on during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball Finals against Mapua.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Despite falling short of winning the NCAA title, College of St. Benilde star Allen Liwag still had much to be thankful for following an impressive first year with the Blazers.

A force to reckon with, Liwag was hailed MVP and Defensive Player of the Year as he spearheaded Benilde’s run to the Finals. Showered with accolades, Liwag refused to bask in the glory alone.

“I’m just trying to repay the trust that he’s giving me,” Liwag told Inquirer Sports in Filipino, owing much of his success to his head coach Charles Tiu.

READ: NCAA Finals: Allen Liwag left speechless after Benilde heartbreaker

College of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“It just feels good to have a coach like that, someone who will really trust you,” he added after a 94-82 loss to Mapua, which ended a 33-year title drought, on Saturday.

Hounded on defense all series long, Liwag did all he could in hopes of extending the Blazers’ season logging 37 minutes and finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2.

Liwag may have not been able to repay Tiu the best way possible after the Blazers got swept by the Cardinals in the title series but the 6-foot-6 center will get another crack next season.

“We’ll start again, back to the fundamentals just so we can clean and fix everything. Now though, I just want to spend time with my family first,” he said.

“As far as I know, I still have two [playing years].”