With a faster system of play, rookie coach TY Tang hopes that the things will turn around for the College of St. Benilde Blazers.
After finishing last in the previous season, Tang is praying that they can be Final Four contenders in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
“We want to take it one step at a time, and we’ll see it from there. We want to have a winning mentality,” said Tang, who will be assisted by another former varsity cager Chris Tiu.
Tang, who used to play for the La Salle Green Archers during his college days took over from long-time coach Gabby Velasco, who left after the Blazers finished 10th with their 1-17 win-loss record.
This year, Tang and Tiu, who used to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in college are developing the Blazers into a running team. Both are expected to instill their knowledge and experience as ex-varsity players to the team.
“That’s the kind of game we want to play. That’s going to be evident with us. We want to run,” added Tiu.
Veteran cager Alfonso Saavedra had already graduated while another key cager Christian Fajarito won’t be playing this season because of academics concerns.
Three veterans, Gerard Castor, Clement Lentcheiu, Edward Christopher Dixon and Yankie Haruna, form the nucleus of the CSB team.
On the other hand, there are two talented players from La Salle Greenhills who are expected to infuse new hopes to the team. There’s the cat-quick Fil-New Zealander Unique Naboa and Luis Velasco.
They will be joined by other LSGH hotshots like Bryco Bunyi and Amando San Juan.
From Team B, Tang and Tiu picked the likes of Ken Belgica, Eric Pili, Rene Sta. Maria, Carlo Young, John Domingo and Lorenzo Mercado.