MANILA, Philippines – Former Emilio Aguinaldo College standout Allen Liwag put a sudden halt to a promising NCAA career to transfer to the College of St. Benilde, and now, it looks like the gamble is paying off.
The 6-foot-6 bruiser was a man among boys so far in the Grand Old League’s 100th season and has been a shining star in the Blazers’ torrid 3-0 start in the men’s basketball tournament.
For his unmissable impact and stellar double-double averages of 14.0 points and 15.7 rebounds on top of 2.7 blocks and 2.0 assists, Liwag was voted as the Collegiate Press Corps’ first Player of the Week for the NCAA’s centennial season.
“I think my game is better if I’m more relaxed,” Liwag said in Filipino, crediting Benilde’s depth in letting him be more in control of his bully-ball game.
“It’s a huge thing for me that our lineup has a creator and scorer in each position. For me, I’m just thankful that we are creating for one another.”
Liwag edged out teammate Tony Ynot, San Sebastian’s Paeng Are, Perpetual’s rookie Mark Gojo Cruz, and San Beda’s Bryan Sajonia for the weekly award backed by Discovery Suites and World Balance.
“My message to them before the season started is I want to have a team that every game, somebody else is the best player or somebody else is stepping up,” said head coach Charles Tiu.
“It’s part of our plan and that’s why we develop guys throughout the long offseason to be ready for this moment.” – Rappler.com