Emilio Aguinaldo College suffered yet another loss in NCAA Season 100 and handing the Generals their latest setback was a familiar face in Allen Liwag.
The 6-foot-6 Liwag, who used to don the red and white of EAC in the past, is now the cornerstone of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and was one of the key cogs in Blazers' convincing 77-55 thrashing of EAC on Saturday.
But while that loss sent his squad reeling to its second straight loss, EAC team captain King Gurtiza expressed pride in seeing his former teammate now build his own name wearing the green and white.
"Masaya ako sa mga achievements niya and sa mga narating niya, na-select siya sa Gilas then nakalaro siya sa ibang bansa," Gurtiza said.
Gurtiza and Liwag used to play for the same side back in Seasons 97 and 98, where EAC tallied 3-6 and 3-15 records, respectively, before the latter decided to bring his act to Taft and join Benilde.
Under coach Charles Tiu, Liwag grew into a more dominant big man and threat inside the paint after bolstering the Strong Group Athletics-bannered squad that competed in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship and the 2024 Jones Cup, where they emerged as champions.
Prior to that, Liwag was also in the radar of the national team after he got an invite from Gilas Pilipinas for the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Even Gurtiza agreed that Liwag has improved a lot since their time together two years ago.
"Magandang challenge na nagkalaban kami kaso wala eh, malaki talaga siya eh. Magaling eh," Gurtiza added.
"Para sa akin oo [nag-improve talaga siya] kasi sobrang dami niyang nilaruan na liga at iba’t-ibang environment ‘yung nilaruan niya at nakakalaban niya."
Liwag was EAC's second top scorer in both Seasons 97 and 98, dropping 9.33 points, 8.67 rebounds, and 1.67 blocks in his rookie year while pouring in 10.2 markers, 8.6 boards, and 0.93 blocks the next season.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
