Published October 12, 2025 4:14pm

Updated October 12, 2025 4:14pm

There is no clear timeline yet on the return of Allen Liwag to the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde bench as the reigning MVP continues his recovery from dengue amid their ongoing NCAA Season 101 run.

Liwag has missed the Blazers’ last two games against Letran and JRU, both of which saw the Taft crew still come out victorious as they pulled off a 95-80 win over the Knights and 73-65 victory against the Heavy Bombers on Sunday. 

“He still has a dengue. His platelets are a bit low so I don’t know when he’ll be back. I hope soon. I hope he’ll be there next game, but probably not because he hasn’t really been going up in a few days,” Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said. 

“But I think the rest of the guys, hopefully, by Arellano [game], we’ll be complete na. Si Allen lang ang question mark.”

Despite Liwag’s absence, the rest of the Blazers have been stepping up as they now seized the solo lead in Group B with a 3-1 card, winning their last three games since bowing to San Beda in the opener. 

Against a very dangerous JRU, the Blazers leaned on the tandem of Justine Sanchez and Raffy Celis, who combined for 15 of their 18 fourth quarter points to star in the hard-fought eight-point win. 

Benilde also outrebounded JRU with 49 rebounds against the 31 of the Heavy Bombers despite missing Liwag, the best defensive player from last year. 

And it was exactly what Tiu wanted from his team.

Tiu, though, hope to have Liwag back soon as they take a one-week break before facing Arellano University next Sunday. 

“I keep telling them that everybody says we have a deep team, so we have to go and show it with or without Allen,” Tiu added.

“We have to find a way to win, it’s just more chances for guys to step up and play and so far, they’ve been rising to the challenge.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News