FOR three straight seasons, the College of St. Benilde Blazers made it to the Final Four under the double-elimination round format.
Under a new system of play, which now introduces the play-in rule, the Blazers hope to thrive under its challenging layout.
“We try not to think about it. We love the old format, because we love to play more games,” said Blazers’ coach Charles Tiu, ahead of the opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 men’s basketball tournament’s opening.
The Benilde Blazers are in a tough pool, with fellow favorites San Beda and Letran, consistent contender Emilio Aguinaldo and a new-look Jose Rizal University in Group B.
The new format will have Group A taking in defending champion Mapúa and fourth-placer LPU, with the revamped squads of Perpetual, San Sebastian and Arellano.
“We’d love to play more games, and have exposure. The old format gave us more opportunities to play,” added Tiu.
The Blazers will see new players reinforcing the team, with bigs like Shawn Umali, SJ Moore, slasher Raffy Celis, defensive-minded Jake Gaspay, and court general Bonn Daja.
Tiu said reigning MVP-Defensive Player of the Year Allen Liwag and veterans Justine Sanchez, Winston Ynot, and Gab Cometa are still around.
But Ynot will miss some games due to an undisclosed injury.
Tiu added that getting Umali, an ex-Perpetual Help player, will give the Blazers the toughness with his inside and outside presence, while Moore’s athleticism will help them improve their firepower.
