College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu has every right to get worried after suffering an 80-75 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College last Sunday in Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Tiu said complacency has set in and it is time for the squad to alter their ways before it’s too late.
After the loss, Tiu ordered his players to do suicide drills on the court after the match as punishment for losing.
“I’ve been too nice to these guys. I let them get away with a lot of things, gave them a lot of freedom, and when you give that freedom, you expect responsibility,” said Tiu, who also works as an assistant coach for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“I think they’ve been abusing our kindness.”
If the boys from Taft aren’t careful, they could be in for a repeat of the disaster they suffered last Season 97.
Ever since losing to a winless Jose Rizal University side last 12 April, 74-68, it caused a series of mishaps for the team despite placing fourth in the standings with a 5-4 win-loss card.
Saint Benilde wasted its two attempts at entering the semifinals under the play-in format after losing to San Beda University, 63-57, on 1 May before surrendering to the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 76-64, three days later.
This season, the Blazers are still strong on paper with Season 97 Mythical Team and Defensive Team member Will Gozum back along with gunner in Migs Oczon as well as Miggy Corteza, Robi Nayve, Prince Carlos, and Jimboy Pasturan.
