St. Louis Allen Liwag of Benilde Blazers during game two of the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Finals against the Mapua Cardinals. The Blazers lost. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde star Allen Liwag was almost inconsolable after the Blazers failed to win the NCAA Season 100 championship at the hands of Mapua at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
After the Blazers absorbed a 94-82 playoff loss to the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NCAA Finals, Benilde’s players began to embrace and comfort each other after the heartbreaking loss.
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Liwag, meanwhile, was on the bench with a towel covering his head the entire time.
READ: NCAA: Allen Liwag wins MVP and three other awards in Season 100
“’I really don’t know what to say, to be honest (I really don’t know what to say, to be honest),” a dejected Liwag told Inquirer Sports.
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“I can’t define what I feel. I guess we just defeated ourselves.
Liwag gave it his all in the Blazers’ final effort against Mapua and finished with a customary 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 of celebration for him as he won four awards, including season MVP, just minutes before Game 2.
Despite the disappointing end to his season, here was an individual who was nonetheless immensely proud of himself.
READ: NCAA Finals: Allen Liwag solely focused on winning the title for Benilde
That person was none other than his coach, Charles Tiu.
“He hugged me and was really sad…He promised to give me a championship but I told him he did so much for our program. Without him we wouldn’t be here anyway,” Tiu said.
“I’m happy for him, he deserves the MVP, he was great and it’s not his fault we lost, right? He tried his best, all my players gave their all, but Mapua are simply the better team today and this whole series,” he added.
Liwag averaged 14.61 points and 11.28 rebounds per game as the Blazers ended up with a 14-4 record and ultimately a second-place finish.
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Per Liwag’s eligibility, he is still allowed to play two more seasons with the College of St. Benilde.
