College of Saint Benilde and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta go back to the drawing board after losing the first game in their respective semifinals series in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament last Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Blazers head coach Charles Tiu expressed disappointment, saying that they were not able to execute the plays they wanted that led to their 72-91 loss to San Beda University in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal duel.

Tiu stressed that they have to neutralize Janti Miller and Bryan Sajonia, who torched them with 29 and 26 points, respectively, if they want to extend the series and punch a return ticket to the finals.

 “All game long, we didn’t follow our game plan. We talked about certain things we wanted to do but didn’t execute it at all. Give credit to San Beda, they prepared very well for us,” Tiu told DAILY TRIBUNE in a text message.

“Miller and Sajonia were great. We need to find a way to stop them and follow our rules for them.”

“We were poor defensively all game.”

It didn’t help Saint Benilde’s cause that reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Allen Liwag was playing with a foot injury that he sustained in their quarterfinals series against Mapua University last week.

Liwag was held to just seven points after shooting a woeful 3-of-13 from the field despite grabbing 10 rebounds for the Blazers.

“Allen struggled big time. One of his worst games this season,” Tiu said.

“San Beda defended him well but he’s also been nursing an injury sustained in the Mapua series and has been hobbling. But no excuses, he just has to fight through it.”

Also licking their wounds are the Altas, who suffered a heartbreaking 73-77 loss to Letran College in Game 1 of their series.

Altas guard Mark Gojo Cruz admitted that he tried so hard stopping red-hot rookie Jonathan Manalili, prompting him to lose his focus that doomed their chances.

Gojo Cruz was held to only 10 points on a nightmarish 4-of-13 shooting while Manalili ran circles around him with an impressive all-around performance of 15 points, eight assists, six steals, and five rebounds in their postseason rematch since Season 99 juniors’ finals in 2023.

“It’s part of the playoff atmosphere but I got carried away and I was selfish. It affected my playing time and I got three fouls,” Gojo Cruz said.

“I was pumped up to win since we lost to Manalili and (Letran) Coach Allen (Ricardo) in the juniors finals in Season 99.”

Gojo Cruz added that even Ricardo was on high alert whenever he holds the ball.

“Actually, whenever I was on their side of the bench, Coach Allen (Ricardo) would shout: ‘He’s going to shoot’ and Kevin Santos would guard me at the three-point line. I have nothing but respect for Coach Allen,” Gojo Cruz said.

“I hope we will be able to bounce back so that we can force Game 3.”