Published August 17, 2023 4:29pm
Updated August 17, 2023 4:29pm
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is already laying the groundwork and reloading its roster to organize for the long term because it seems to be to finish a 23-year title drought within the NCAA males’s basketball event.
The Blazers have been busy recruiting within the offseason because it secured the dedication of rising stars Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Gab Cometa of San Beda University in addition to Emilio Aguinaldo College huge man Allen Liwag.
The Taft crew additionally acquired the dedication of Red Cubs product Nathan Victoria and former Centro Escolar University flooring basic Jhomel Ancheta.
Immaculada Concepcion College standouts Roger Ondoa and Ian Torres; San Joaquin Delta College’s Matthew Oli; Gavilan College’s Tahjae Ordonio; Irele Galas from Iloilo; and Jeric Canete from Cagayan de Oro have additionally dedicated to play for the Blazers.
“I am extremely grateful to our boosters and managers who have made the dedicated decision to fully invest in our team and program,” Benilde head coach Charles Tiu mentioned.
Heading to Season 99, the Blazers may have an nearly intact roster with the likes of reigning MVP Will Gozum and different graduating gamers Miggy Corteza, Prince Carlos, Robi Nayve, Felipe Marasigan, and Chris Flores main the squad alongside sophomore sniper Migs Oczon.
With the Blazers already gearing up for what’s subsequent, Tiu added that having a stacked roster is a welcome problem for the group.
“It’s a challenge we’ve never encountered before, where there is now an abundance of players vying for the same position. It’s a favorable challenge, better than lacking options,” he mentioned.
“They will need to compete for their spots, as we also have a surplus of players.”
Benilde got here near ending its decades-long await a title because it reached the finals spherical of Season 98 towards powerhouse Colegio de San Juan de Letran. However, the Knights displayed their championship poise to cop the title in three video games.
It was additionally in Season 98 that the Blazers entered the NCAA Final Four once more after 20 years.
Aside from retooling its roster of gamers, the Taft-based squad additionally not too long ago named former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman to its fold as its marketing consultant.
Tiu mentioned Toroman coming to Benilde shall be a giant assist for the collegiate basketball scene.
The Philippines’ first collegiate league will return for its 99th season come late September.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com