Romwel Anzures

College of Saint Benilde star Allen Liwag in NCAA Season 101. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17631055591099. CSB ALLEN LIWAG.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">College of Saint Benilde star Allen Liwag in NCAA Season 101. <em>Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde returned to the win column of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, but the Blazers continued to miss the services of star center Allen Liwag.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/14/ncaa-benilde-overwhelms-letran-for-solo-second-1436"><strong>READ: Benilde overwhelms Letran for solo second<br/></strong></a></div><p>The 6-foot-6 reigning MVP is out with a left shoulder injury he sustained on November 4, and Benilde coach Charles Tiu said there are still no developments on when Liwag can return.</p><p>“It’s tough for Allen,” said Tiu of Liwag, who also suffered from dengue early in the season and missed three games due to that setback, after their 80-74 victory over Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday.</p><p>“Some say his recovery is four to six weeks, others say two to four, so we’re not too sure. But it’s really gonna be up to him when he feels his shoulder is strong enough,” he added.</p><p>Liwag has only played six games so far in the preliminaries, and missing their last two assignments will also disqualify him from earning a second straight MVP plum.</p><p>NCAA rules state that players must suit up for at least 50% of the total games in the elimination round to be eligible for individual awards.</p><p>Beyond awards, however, the Blazers are more concerned about how their campaign will progress with Liwag still sidelined.</p><p>“I hope he will be able to catch up in time for the playoffs,” said Tiu. “I don’t know if he will still be able to play in the eliminations, but we definitely need him if we want to win the championship.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Balanced attack for Benilde</strong></div><p>Fortunately for Tiu, the likes of Shawn Umali, Justine Sanchez, Jake Gaspay, and John Morales stepped up against the taller frontline of the Knights.</p><p>“I give credit to them. They were solid and they anchored our defense,” said Tiu. “We were also hot to start the game with our 10 threes, but I really think it was our defense that won the game for us.”</p><p>Moving forward, Tiu sees this collective effort as their blueprint while Liwag remains injured, and it is now a matter of sustaining it in their last two games.</p><p>“Adversity is good for us, so we’re happy with how they responded,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABrmxWlnF63sLW_V"></script>

<p>#NCAASeason101 || “I don’t know if he will still be able to play in the eliminations, but we definitely need him if we want to win the championship," shared Tiu.</p>

#NCAASeason101 || “I don’t know if he will still be able to play in the eliminations, but we definitely need him if we want to win the championship," shared Tiu.

NCAA: Still no timetable on Allen Liwag’s return, says Charles Tiu

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NCAA: Still no timetable on Allen Liwag’s return, says Charles Tiu

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 14, 2025 04:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

NCAA

ABSSports

NCAA Season 101

NCAA Basketball

Benilde Blazers

Letran Knights

Charles Tiu

Allen Liwag

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