De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu believes his squad is still far from perfect, even as his side bounced back from opening day loss on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 97.
The Blazers had a slow start but newcomers Will Gozum, Joshua Marcos, and JC Cullar stepped on the gas in the crucial stretch as they ran away with a 79-68 victory, recovering from a loss to Letran over the weekend.
Still, Tiu said his wards have a lot more to show.
"I thought our effort [today] was better. Against Letran, we really fell short and I told them we have to learn from our mistakes there," said Tiu, who succeeded TY Tang at the helm of the CSB bench, in the post-game interview.
"We have to outwork every team there and I thought today we did but I'm still not satisfied with the way we played. I'm actually not happy, there's still so many things that we have to clean up on."
The 6-foot-7 bruiser Gozum finished with 15 points, eight of which he scored during their fourth quarter surge, and eight rebounds while Marcos racked up nine markers, five boards and three steals. Cullar, this year's team captain, chipped in 11 markers in the winning cause.
Tiu noted, though, that it's just the beginning for the Blazers as they look to make through the Final Four in this shortened tournament.
"Will played better in the second half but he's far from where I want him to be so to be honest, I don't even say it's a good game for him," Tiu said of Gozum.
Tiu also recognized the help from other players as they sent the Pirates to a 0-2 hole while they improved to 1-1.
"Actually marami kaming first timers, si JC Cullar, our captain, si Miguel Corteza, [and] si AJ Benson. That was what I am hoping na baka nga nung first game against Letran, kabado pa lahat kasi bago pa lahat tapos kalaban pa 'yung defending champs," the mentor said.
"Today, they showed a little bit more composure. A lot of guys have stepped up and I feel a lot of guys have chipped in in many different ways."
—JMB, GMA News
