Gloomy future beckons Tiu

A cloud of gloom hovers over head coach Charles Tiu after yet another heartbreaking finish of College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

Tiu admitted that the grind of chasing a title has been greatly affecting his physical, mental and emotional well-being, prompting him to train his sights on other opportunities — both in business and other leagues.

Since taking the coaching job from childhood pal Ty Tang in 2021, Tiu had some measure of success with the Blazers, steering them to the finals for the first time in 20 years. Then, they lost in the Final Four in 2023 and faltered in the finals in 2024.

All in all, Tiu’s performance is quite impressive but the truth remains that the ultimate prize — an NCAA title — remains elusive as the Blazers have yet to win anything since the group of Sunday Salvacion, Jondan Salvador and Mark Magsumbol raised the trophy in 2000.

Tiu said he will use the coming Christmas season to ponder on his future.

“I’ll have to discuss it with my family. There’s also pressure to just focus on the business side. There’s also been some other teams from other leagues calling and opportunities there, but obviously, my heart is with Benilde,” said Tiu after absorbing a crushing 81-84 loss to San Beda University in the deciding game of their Final Four series on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“One of my goals was just to leave Benilde with a championship. Obviously, this is another season that came up short but we’ll have to see. I still feel that I want to help these players and I just don’t want if we leave so that the players will not be prepared for it financially or whatever it may be. I mean, the goal has always been to help these guys.”