SPORTSLINE

Allen Liwag is back.

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The hulking reigning MVP announced his much-awaited return as he towed St. Benilde to an 87-82 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College yesterday in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Liwag didn’t miss a beat on his return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for a few weeks. He dropped 16 points that went with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block to power the Blazers to a 9-4 record.

Because of that, CSB will finish in Group B at No. 2 while San Beda (9-3) will finish No. 1 regardless of the result of its final elimination round game with archrival Letran tomorrow.

CSB will play Mapua in the quarterfinals set Wednesday at the same San Juan venue with a twice-to-beat advantage as reward for finishing in the top two per group.

The Cardinals fell to No. 3 in Group A with a 7-6 slate after succumbing to Arellano U, 62-58, earlier.

And as far as CSB coach Charles Tiu is concerned, the real battle starts.

“Everything is back to zero now,” said Tiu.