St. Benilde Blazers’ Allen Liwag during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball Finals against Mapua Cardinals. The Blazers lost. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde star Allen Liwag was nearly inconsolable after the Blazers fell short of winning the NCAA Season 100 championship at the hands of Mapua at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
After the Blazers absorbed the eliminating 94-82 loss at the expense of the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NCAA Finals, Benilde players started hugging and comforting each other after the heartbreaking loss.
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Liwag, meanwhile, was on the bench with towel covering his head all the while.
READ: NCAA: Allen Liwag bags MVP, three more awards in Season 100
“‘Di ko alam talaga sasabihin ko, sa totoo lang (I really don’t know what to say, to be honest),” said a dejected Liwag with Inquirer Sports.
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“I can’t define what I’m feeling. I guess we just defeated ourselves.”
Liwag gave his all in the Blazers’ last gasp effort against Mapua and finished with a usual double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in 37 excruciating minutes.
To add to Liwag’s woes, Saturday was supposed to be a day for celebration for him as he bagged four awards—including the season MVP—just minutes before Game 2.
Despite the disappointing finish to his season, here was one individual that was immensely proud of him, nonetheless.
READ: NCAA Finals: Allen Liwag only focused on winning title for Benilde
That person was none other than his coach, Charles Tiu.
“He was hugging it out with me and was really sad… He promised to give me a championship but I told him that he’s done so much for our program. Without him we wouldn’t be here anyways,” said Tiu.
“I’m happy for him, he deserves the MVP, he was great and it wasn’t his fault we lost, right? He did his best, all my players gave their all but Mapua’s just the better team today and this whole series,” he added.
Liwag averaged 14.61 points and 11.28 rebounds per game for the Blazers to end up with a 14-4 record and ultimately, a runner-up finish.
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As per Liwag’s eligibility, he’s still allowed to play for two more seasons with College of St. Benilde.