Romwel Anzures

College of Saint Benilde star Allen Liwag against San Beda University in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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<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/1764989739774IMG_1523.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">College of Saint Benilde star Allen Liwag against San Beda University in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. <em>Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Allen Liwag has just helped College of Saint Benilde stay alive in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4, but the weight on his shoulders has only gotten heavier as he is also set to represent the Philippines in next week’s 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">The 6-foot-6, one-time NCAA MVP is part of Norman Black’s Gilas Pilipinas squad which has undergone multiple revisions due to tournament rules.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Yet even with the late call-up, there was never a chance that Liwag would beg off from national team duties.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/4/gilas-pilipinas-adds-liwag-chua-bolick-to-sea-games-lineup-1208">READ: Gilas Pilipinas adds Liwag, Chua, Bolick to SEA Games lineup</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/5/ncaa-ian-torres-stuns-san-beda-at-the-buzzer-to-keep-benilde-alive-1412">READ: Ian Torres stuns San Beda at the buzzer to keep Benilde alive</a></div><p>“‘Di ko in-expect na matatawag ulit ako sa training pool ng Gilas,” said Liwag, who posted nine points, 15 rebounds, and a block in their 77-75 escape of San Beda University on Friday.</p><p>It was through his head coach Charles Tiu that he received word of his Gilas return, more than three years after his initial inclusion in the pool back when he was still with Emilio Aguinaldo College in Season 97.</p><p>“May bitbit siyang kumpyansa sa akin. Pangarap ko yun mula bata ako, so morale boost talaga yun sa akin,” he added.</p><p>However, should Benilde avoid elimination and advance to the Finals, scheduling conflicts could arise.</p><p>The best-of-three Finals, as of press time, is scheduled for December 10, 13, and 16. Gilas, meanwhile, opens its campaign on December 14 against Malaysia.</p><p>Fortunately, Tiu said plans are already in place if that situation unfolds.</p><p>“If we make it to the Finals, then we win in two games, or we get swept, then he could make it by the 14th. If not, Game 3 is on December 16, so makakahabol naman siya,” he said.</p><p>“That’s also the latter part of the tournament, and they would be needing Allen more by then. Pero nga, sana mangyari yung mangyari na nasa Finals kami. Kasi kung matalo kami, maaga talaga siyang pupunta doon sa SEA Games,” he quipped.</p><p>Regardless of whether Benilde advances or not, one thing that remains constant is how proud Tiu is of his bruising big man.</p><p>“I know he represents our school, but that’s one of the greatest honors that he could have,” said Tiu. “I don’t think anybody expected this, but this says a lot about him and his hardwork.”<strong></strong><br/></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong><br/><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wkQpGvKfmS8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fhRCNBIaboE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Allen Liwag has just helped Benilde stay alive in the #NCAASeason101 Final 4, but the weight on his shoulders has only gotten heavier as he is also set to play for Gilas in next week’s 33rd SEA Games.</p>

Allen Liwag has just helped Benilde stay alive in the #NCAASeason101 Final 4, but the weight on his shoulders has only gotten heavier as he is also set to play for Gilas in next week’s 33rd SEA Games.

NCAA: Liwag on possible Benilde, Gilas SEA Games balancing act — ‘Pangarap ko ‘to’

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NCAA: Liwag on possible Benilde, Gilas SEA Games balancing act — ‘Pangarap ko ‘to’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2025 11:31 AM PHT

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Basketball

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ABSSports

NCAA Season 101

NCAA Basketball

NCAA Final 4

33rd SEA Games

Gilas Pilipinas

Benilde Blazers

Allen Liwag

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