MANILA, Philippines — With NCAA Season 101 just around the corner, Allen Liwag, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) and Most Valuable Player (MVP), faces the daunting task of leading College of Saint Benilde to its aspirations in ending its 25-year title drought.  


Benilde made a finals appearance in the centennial year of the league, but failed to reach the promise land as the Mapua University Cardinals proved to be too much and swept the Best of Three championship series.


Despite the saying “MVP curse” often preventing a player from winning a title, Liwag believes that all he has to do in the next season is—follow coach Charles Tiu’s advice.
 “What coach always said to me is that my mindset [for] the next season should be, ‘I am the best player in the league,’ but that should not take over my character. What I will do is play the game, give my best, and do whatever it takes for the team,” he said.  


In Season 100, Liwag earned four prestigious awards, including a spot on the Mythical Five and the Defensive Team. He became the first local player in NCAA history to be named DPOY-MVP, a feat last accomplished by Perpetual’s import player, Prince Eze, in 2018.

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However, after the last buzzer in a championship clash against Mapua, Liwag walked away from the Araneta Coliseum crestfallen and said, “Nothing, all of these don’t matter if you don’t get the championship.” 


However, with new experiences playing in Dubai and in the Jones Cup with the Strong Group Athletics (SGA), Liwag looks forward to Season 101 with a new perspective and is ready to conquer the hardcourt once again.

He believes that soon… All of his hard work and efforts will bear fruit. 

“It builds character. All that happened in Season 100 and with my stint with SGA (Strong Group Athletics) reminded me that there’s no such thing as an easy route. I just need to give my best inside the court, practices, or games.”



The NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball is tentatively set to kick off on Oct. 1, 2025.



The Grand Old League made a tweak to its format as it will feature a group stage bracket, where the 10 member schools will be divided into two pools. 

Group A consists of reigning men’s basketball champion Mapua, fourth-seed Lyceum University, and rebuilding teams Arellano University, Perpetual Help, and San Sebastian.



However, based on last season’s performance, Group B has a tougher bracket as Benilde, San Beda University, Letran, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Jose Rizal University are all grouped together.