Liwag stays focused on Benilde despite Gilas call-up

For reigning NCAA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Allen Liwag, national team duties can be managed alongside his main priority of helping the College of Saint Benilde reach the finals and potentially clinch its second championship title.

“When coach Charles [Tiu] first told me about it, I didn’t expect to be called up by Gilas but when he told me about it, I didn’t think about it too much,” the 6-foot-6 forward said.

“I am still focused on Benilde because this is the school that I'm playing for right now,” he added, as the Blazers extended their semifinals series against the San Beda Red Lions.

Benilde and San Beda’s do-or-die duel is set for 7 December at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The winner will advance to the championship series against the Letran Knights.

CSB head coach Charles Tiu revealed that Gilas Pilipinas head coach Norman Black contacted him a few weeks ago due to issues with the Thai organizing committee concerning the eligibility of the national team’s naturalized players.

“I just asked him, Coach, if we make it to the finals, it might be effective. He said it's okay, he can catch up in the SEA Games,” Tiu said.

Time and (game results) will tell

Gilas Pilipinas will begin its title defense in the SEA Games on 14 December against Malaysia and on 15 December against Vietnam.

If Benilde defeats San Beda and advances to the finals, the championship series is scheduled on 10, 13, and 16 December.

“So I said, look, if we make it to the finals and we win two, or we get swept, whatever it is, then he can go by the 14th,” Tiu explained.

“So he can catch up on the way. I think that's the latter part of the tournament. I guess they need Allen,” he added.