After winning a crucial Game 2 of the semifinals matchup against the San Beda University on December 5 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Head Coach Charles Tiu of the College of Saint Benilde told the media during the postgame interview that Ian Torres indeed wanted to take the final shot in crunch time.
Wanting to Start and Wanting to Win
Behind the heroics of the 20 year old guard from the CSB Blazers, they forced a Do-or-Die semifinals Game 3 this Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City at 2:30 PM to determine who will the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán play in the NCAA Season 101 finals.
Coach Charles Tiu then shared a story to the media that after their Game 1 loss, Ian Torres texted him saying that he wanted to start in Game 2. A scenario in which Coach Charles was actually planning to do even before he got his text.
“First of all when we lost the first game, he texted me that he wanted to start and the funny thing was, I actually was going to start him even before he texted and that just reaffirmed to me that he wanted to play in the big stage.”
The 6-foot guard was part of the first 5 in Game 2 along with Tony Ynot, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez and the returning Raffy Celis.
The 36 year old mentor then shared how Ian was very eager to take the last shot of the game and not wanting to pass to any of his teammates.
“Then even before the last shot, I draw up a play for him [pero] hindi napasa sa kanya ni [Tony] Ynot. Then he came up to me noong nag re-review ang San Beda, sabi niya ‘Coach kapag nakuha ko na yung bola, ako na bahala, hindi ko na ipapasa. Sabi ko, sige basta i-shoot mo’ and ok naman.”
After a missed putback shot of Jommel Puno, Liwag did get the rebound with 7 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. Having a tie ballgame at 75-all, Allen passed it to Torres and Ian drove to the basket, went for the shot, releasing the ball at 0.4 second remaining to win the ball game.
Ian “The Polar Opposite” Torres
Coach Charles then told the media how Ian can be the lazy guy in their practices and oftentimes goofing around but come gametime, he could be the exact opposite of what he is doing during their training.
“It takes balls, diba? Si Ian is the type of guy na, sabi ko nga ‘baller’ to eh. Sa practice parang petiks, parang ayaw mag trabaho pero pagdating sa laro basta laban siya, ok tayo. And his the guy na, kahit pangit yung shooting he’s not afraid of the big shots. And it’s actually not just this year. Kahit naman sa mga preseason and the other games from last year, he’s not afraid of the big moments.”
In game 1, despite suffering a blowout loss, Ian Torres led CSB Blazers in scoring with 18 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, a rebound and going 6 of 11 from the field.
In game 2, he almost had the same performance with only a slight difference. He scored 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and going for 7 of 11 from the field.
Coach Charles then just praised Torres for answering the call for them right when CSB needed him the most despite having some games where his shooting splits isn’t the best.
“Of course give and take diba, nobody is perfect. May mga games na off talaga siya but at least you want guys na hindi afraid of the big moments and I think every team needs that. San Beda has their own version in [Bryan] Sajonia diba? Pero kami it just so happens na si Ian, answered the call for us today. I’ve said all year long that we’ll go with whoever is playing well, Ian made a big shot and today he delivered.”
Credits to the Return of Raffy “Swiss Army Knife” Celis
Returning for the CSB Blazers is their 6-foot-3 forward Raffy Celis who has been the teams’ number 1 option on defense.
Back in game 1, Celis sat on the bench and missed the game as he was rushed to the emergency room because of an undisclosed injury prompting him to be sidelined.
Now in game 2, a must win game for the green and white, Raffy went to have 5 steals, a rebound, an assist to go along with his 5 points.
“Well he’s been our starting wing for a reason. He’s been our best defender, guarding the best players of the other team. Obviously medyo tense pa rin siya, 1st quarter palang nag cra-cramps na siya, sabi ko ‘oh no what going on’. But he made a three. Not his best game but his presence out there made a difference for sure.”
Back in game 1, CSB had no answer to the offensive juggernauts of San Beda as the combined efforts of Agjanti Miller and Bryan Sajonia had a total of 55 points out of the 91 points the Red Lions scored last December 2.
“We needed him defensively and he still made some big plays for us. So he’s still one of our game changers, one of the guys I really trust and rely so its a big plus.”
Finally a Fully Healthy CSB Blazers
The 4th year head coach of CSB then highlighted the importance of playing when all of their players are healthy and available.
Coming into Game 2, the Blazers were 0-3 against the Red Lions this Season 101 but those games they had a player or two in their roster that aren’t available to play.
“Again this is the first time in our 4 matchups na complete kami. Nagkataon lang na sila naman yung kulang, maybe on Sunday we’ll both be complete for once and we’ll juke it out.”
