If he could have it his way, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu would like to face Colegio de San Juan de Letran anew in NCAA Season 98, hopefully in the championship round.
The Blazers have yet to solve the Knights puzzle, falling twice to the Muralla-based crew in the elimination round. Benilde lost to Letran in their first round meeting last September 23, 81-75, and were unable to avenge that loss in the second round after absorbing a 74-66 stunner on Saturday.
But Tiu is hoping for an opportunity to cross paths again with the Knights and he's hoping it comes in the Finals.
"I want to face them in the Finals [because] that would mean we are in the Finals so I would love to face them in the Finals," said Tiu.
Tiu stressed he wasn't disappointed in the latest loss to Letran, saying his wards gave the defending champions a good fight despite them dropping to 9-3.
But the second-year mentor said if they would like to be champions, the road likely will have to go through defending champion Letran.
"I really believe that to be the champions, which we would like, we have to go through the champions and they still are," said Tiu.
"They're looking like it again. Those guys are tough. They have the championship pedigree so I really respect them."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
