The College of St. Benilde Blazers’ key players, Will Gozum, Migs Oczon, Miggy Corteza and Robi Nayve, have left the team.
And it’s now up to a new batch of veterans like Mark Sangco and Zenric Jarque to carry the fight for the Blazers in the 100th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament which fires off on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Sangco and Jarque will lead younger teammates Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, Gabby Cometa as the team tries to show what it has in its opening clash with the Mapua Cardinals at 5 p.m.
Last year, the Blazers ended up at third place after beating the Lyceum Pirates, 93-83, for an 11-7 win-loss record.
The Blazers, coached by four-year mentor Charles Tiu, will be hungrier and more determined to win this time around.
“Itong team na ‘to, bago, maraming pasensya sa sarili. Lahat willing ibigay ang best,” said Sangco, the designated skipper.
The bench also includes transferees like Anton Eusebio from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Roger Ondoa and Ian Torres from Immaculada Concepcion College, and newbie Gene Carillo from Adamson University.
“Si Coach Charles talaga, magaling siyang magbigay ng kumpiyansa sa players kaya talagang lumalabas ‘yung talent ng player,” added Sangco.
Also in the roster are Jesse Arciaga, Jhomel Ancheta, Irele Galas, Zenric Jarque, John Morales, Matthew Oli, Edson Serrano, and Paul Turco.
