It all started with a leap of faith and everything just followed for Allen Liwag.
The 6-foot-6 bruiser for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde already knew the basics of basketball during his high school days but it was only until his arrival at his former school Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA when Liwag would get to understand the sport on a deeper level.
Ever since then, Liwag has never stopped learning and embraced basketball as if it's his life.
"Kumbaga nu’ng college na lang talaga ako nagkaro’n ng organized basketball," Liwag revealed to GMA News Online.
"Pagdating ko ng college, [na-realize ko na] iba pala ang basketball. Hindi pala basta-basta. Kailangan mo talagang aralin, parang magiging buhay ba."
Liwag played hoops for St. Patrick School of Quezon City and would get to strut his stuff in various minor leagues around the city. Taking the sport seriously, Liwag knew he had to make it big once he set foot in college.
He then tried his luck in various college teams, including Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of the East, and, surprisingly, Benilde. However, it was only EAC head coach Oliver Bunyi that gave him a shot and a spot in the Generals' roster.
The former EAC tactician developed the young aspirant into a threat in the paint with the 23-year-old Liwag making a name during his rookie and sophomore years in NCAA Seasons 97 and 98. It was also in that stretch that Liwag rose as a legit big man and was even invited to join the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
"Talagang inaral ko lang talaga. May mga times no’n na umiiyak na ako kasi siyempre nagulat ako, kasi akala ko nu’ng high school ako, akala ko ‘yung basketball basta magaling ka mag-shoot, malakas katawan mo, magaling ka mag-dribble, ay magaling ka na," he added.
"And nabigyan lang talaga ako ng pagkakataon ni Coach Oliver sa EAC and tinulungan niya akong maka-adapt sa sistema ng basketball and unti-unti kong natutunan and binigyan niya rin ako ng kumpiyansa and ayun, nalabas ko ‘yung potential ko sa EAC."
But Liwag wanted more and he was sure he'd get in with the Blazers.
True enough, the Cavite pride is now an unstoppable force for the Taft crew, which now sits atop the standings with a 12-2 win-loss card and a sure spot in Season 100 Final Four.
"Itong team na ’to mas ramdam ko na mas nalalabas ko ‘yung potential ko sa paglalaro. And wala akong masabi sa tiwala nila sa akin eh kung magkamali man ako sa loob," Liwag shared as he emerges as a solid MVP frontrunner.
"Itong team na ‘to, masisipag ‘to and committed talaga. Nag-e-extra kami before of after practice or minsan sa hapon. Sobrang mababait."
Liwag and the rest of the Blazers will return to action on Friday when they face Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
