College of St. Benilde center Allen Liwag takes a shot against Mapua in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Allen Liwag turned heads in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament where he was hailed MVP and powered College of St. Benilde’s return to the Finals.
Among the many that Liwag impressed was his former head coach Oliver Bunyi, who had the bull-strong big man under his tutelage during their time at Emilio Aguinaldo College.
“He improved a lot and I’m really proud of him because his attitude remained the same,” said Bunyi, who now serves as an assistant coach at La Salle, in an interview with Inquirer Sports after Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals won by University of the Philippines on Sunday.
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“He’s still a hard worker, he’s still very coachable and I think that made him achieve those awards. It would’ve been better if he became champion, it would’ve been a complete achievement, but still [a good season].”
Bunyi and Liwag both parted ways with the Generals following a 3-15 campaign in the NCAA Season 98. Both went to Taft with Bunyi getting a job at La Salle and Liwag ending up with Benilde.
“That even became an issue before because they thought I was the one that brought him (Liwag) there,” Bunyi recalled and added it was Liwag’s prerogative to transfer to Benilde.
“To tell you honestly, I’m very happy that he’s green-blooded now.”
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Liwag certainly feels the same way after a dominant first year with the Blazers.
“I think he matured a lot. His maturity developed alongside his confidence level, which really improved. I think his experience in the international game in Dubai with Strong Group really helped,” Bunyi said.
“When he was in EAC, he also had a week-long stint with Gilas, which I think also helped. It really built his confidence and his maturity.”