NOW assured of a top two placement out of the NCAA Bracket, Benilde is trending upwards in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
READ: Benilde survives EAC as NU completes Filoil Preseason playoff picture
For them to keep on reaching for greater heights, though, coach Charles Tiu is pointing to a particular player as the key to their hopes in the tourney - and even until NCAA Season 101.
“Number one, I think he’s our best guard by far,” he said. “Complete kasi yung game ni Tony.”
Tony, of course, is the nickname of two-way guard Winston Ynot, who has been posting per game counts of 4.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 boards through Benilde's 7-1 record.
Not gaudy, per se, but Tiu claims that his end-to-end impact takes the Blazers to the next level whenever he's suited up and seeing action.
As he put it, “His confidence is different, iba ‘yung energy na binibigay niya.”
Tony says, Y Not?
That energy, alongside his trademark effort, is much-welcome for a green-and-white side still without versatile wing Justine Sanchez due to back injury.
For his part, Ynot vows to continue giving his all even as he himself is still recovering from a lower leg injury.
"Yung hustle ko, andyan naman, pero kulang pa lang din ngayon kasi may iniinda pa 'ako," said the graduating guard hailing from Misamis Occidental.
With Ynot showing the way, Benilde is rounding into form just in time for the preseason playoffs.
And if their so-called difference-maker continues to prove himself, the Blazers are hoping that NCAA Season 101 gets a different ending from their two silvers and one bronze in the last three years.
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