Romwel Anzures

College of Saint Benilde stars and Strong Group Athletics’ Tony Ynot (left) Allen Liwag (middle) and Justine Sanchez (right). Photos from Strong Group Athletics.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737540994931IMG_6096.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="College of Saint Benilde stars and Strong Group Athletics’ Tony Ynot (left) Allen Liwag (middle) and Justine Sanchez (right). Photos from Strong Group Athletics."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">College of Saint Benilde stars and Strong Group Athletics’ Tony Ynot (left) Allen Liwag (middle) and Justine Sanchez (right). <em>Photos from Strong Group Athletics.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez will have the chance to expose themselves to competitive hoops anew despite the off-season of NCAA basketball as they are set for another stint with Strong Group Athletics.</div><p>The trio from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a part of the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship-bound, Charles Tiu-coached squad which is seeking redemption following their 2024 heartbreak, and the Season 100 finalists are looking to make the most of their return to the club.</p><p>“Gusto naming bawiin yung championship na natalo kami last year,” the 6-foot-5 Sanchez said during the team’s media availability over the weekend.</p><p>Sanchez witnessed how the then Dwight Howard, and Kevin Quiambao-starred squad was beaten in the championship round by Al-Riyadi in the finals, but for the 6-foot-5 wingman, this year is a whole new different story.</p><p>“Different import na kasama, so different learning na naman ito,” he said. “Last year, si Dwight. Sobrang matured niya at kung anu-anong tinuro niya sa amin na adapt namin. Ito ngayon, kay Demarcus [Cousins], marami ulit kaming natutunang bago na dadalhin namin sa Season 101.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Liwag was more specific when tackling what he wants to improve on after this upcoming Strong Group campaign.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/8/after-another-loss-in-ncaa-finals-what-s-next-for-st-benilde-1935" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: After another loss in NCAA Finals, what&#x27;s next for St. Benilde?</strong></a></div><p>“Nakita ko na kailangan ko pa ng better decision-making, and yung shooting sa labas yung gusto ko ma-improve from last year,” said the 6-foot-7 bruiser, who won the NCAA’s centennial season Most Valuable Player (MVP).</p><p>The former Emilio Aguinaldo College standout was the second Blazer to win the league’s highest individual plum but fell short of taking home the title in recent years, with the last one being Will Gozum, which is why what he wants above all is to improve his confidence.</p><p>“Gusto ko rin ma-improve yung kumpyansa ko,” said Liwag. “Gusto ko ring mas mapalabas yung laro ko sa system na meron kami sa Benilde, at mas mai-angat lalo yung teammates ko.”</p><p>And for Ynot, there is no other way for these goals to translate well into Season 101 but earn it and be patient with the process.</p><p>“Mas gutom kaming manalo ngayon kasi nga natalo kami last year,” he said. “So babalik ako, pero kailangan pa naming pagtrabahuhan yung mga mali namin sa Finals. Kailangan naming ipakita na kaya naming mag-champion, na hindi lang kami basta basta.”</p><p>Ynot, Liwag, Sanchez, and the rest of SGA will open their campaign on Friday, January 24, 11:00 p.m., against Dubai NT.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTZDf1L5CKgUcQm&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div>

<p>Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez will have the chance to expose themselves to competitive hoops anew despite the off-season of NCAA basketball as they are set for another stint with SGA.</p>

Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, and Justine Sanchez will have the chance to expose themselves to competitive hoops anew despite the off-season of NCAA basketball as they are set for another stint with SGA.

Benilde boys hoping latest SGA stint results in another fruitful year in the NCAA

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Benilde boys hoping latest SGA stint results in another fruitful year in the NCAA

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 22, 2025 07:59 PM PHT

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