FALLING short of the NCAA crown last season, College of St. Benilde is pinning its hopes that the changes to its team would finally get it over the hump this time out.
The biggest – literally and figuratively – piece of the puzzle might just be Shawn Umali.
The transferee from Lyceum of the Philippines University has really been heaven sent for the Blazers, not only adding ceiling to the team which already boasts of Allen Liwag but also bringing in toughness.
So far, the results have been promising, as evidenced by CSB’s immaculate 4-0 record in the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive to stay on top of the NCAA Bracket.
And you bet, coach Charles Tiu is just beaming for the luxury that he has when it comes to the Umali-Liwag tandem.
“I think it’s a bit of a matchup problem for the opposing teams. Obviously, they want to put their best big man on Allen, but Shawn is as big of a piece for us,” he said. “They’re two legit post threats, but at the same time, we also have to figure out how we can play them together.”
Lucky for the Taft side, this partnership only fuels Liwag and Umali to bring out the best in each other as they try to figure out to be the lethal 1-2 punch they’re envisioned to be.
“Malaking bagay siya sa team namin. May experience na siya sa NCAA so nagtutulungan lang kami sa anong pwede naming gawin,” said Liwag, the NCAA Season 100 MVP.
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