By REYNALD MAGALLON
College of Saint Benilde coach Charles Tiu is dedicating their first win not just to the people who have been supportive of their cause but also to his two players who palyed with heavy hearts the last time.
Following Benilde’s 79-68 victory over Lyceum, Tiu shared the plight of the players and the sacrifices they had to make after deciding to stay in the bubble for almost two months already.
He expressed his sympathy to his grieving big-man Ladis Lepalam who lost his grandmother in the morning of their match against the Pirates while Marc Sangco couldn’t be with his mother who suffered an injury.
“To be honest, it’s very hard. I have a player whose grandmother just passed away today and then hindi siya makaalis so how can they grieve for their loved ones. I have a player, yung mommy naman niya naaksidente rin. It’s stuff like those na you can’t be with your families so I feel for the players,” shared Tiu.
Understanding how tough it is to stay in the bubble after what happened to their families, Tiu actually offered the players a choice to leave their bubble to join their loved ones.
“I asked them if they wanna go home and be with their parents, it’s okay with me because family is still more important. We’re just here playing basketball but if you have to be with your loved ones, I really think that’s more important,” he added.
Lepalam and Sangco still played in the match although only contributed two points and two rebounds each – something that’s understandable from Tiu’s part especially with all the things the two have been going through.
Tiu admitted that it’s hard for the team to stay in the bubble since everything outside is steadily opening up but he is continuously motivating his players to keep their morale up since the season will only be a short one.
“They’ve already seen everything outside is opened up and sila medyo limitado that’s the challenge. But as I tell them, they’re blessed to be playing basketball again after a long wait. Tiis na lang tayo kasi short season lang,” added Tiu.
For now, all the Blazers can do is to use their families as inspiration every game and dedicate their performances to them.
“As I told the boys, we offer up our games to them and try to honor our parents and honor God every time we play.”
