Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National University (NU) Bulldogs found a lot of joy facing the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the last two years, but after starting Season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on the wrong foot, this might be the chance for the Katipunan-based side to strike back.
In the past two seasons, Coach Eric Altamirano’s NU Bulldogs have been the bogey team of the Kiefer Ravena-led Blue Eagles, beating them six straight times in the last two seasons of the UAAP.
But after a 0-2 start for the Bulldogs, Altamirano knows that they are going into their clash against Ateneo as the underdogs.
“If we played the way we played (in the 71-76 loss to UE), I don’t think we can touch Ateneo,” said Altamirano. “If you assess us right now with the other teams, I think we’re right there at the bottom.”
“There has to be something different in the way we’re going to play them on Wednesday.”
With the loss of key players from the championship winning side in recently drafted cagers Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin, replicating their championship run will always be an uphill climb for the Bulldogs.
This year, the Bulldogs are looking to holdover Gelo Alolino and Finals MVP Alfred Aroga to pick their side up. But based on the first two outings, Aroga has struggled to show off last season’s form.
“Right now I think he is lost, so we need to help him out but he just has to keep his focus again on his strength,” said Altamirano. “He just has to relax and play his game, play to his strength, and hopefully he will be able to get his game back.”
Two games into Season 78, the defending champions find themselves struggling to define who they are as a team. Coach E attributed that to the youthful nature of his side, and considers it as part of the process of becoming a more cohesive unit.
“Relatively, we are a young team. Siguro that’s part of our growing pains,” said the NU coach. “We just have to continue finding our own identity this season.”
Related: Batiller shines as UE shocks NU, 76-71
Confidence-building win
Their next opponents, on the other hand, are coming off a morale boosting 84-60 scalp of Adamson. A victory that Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol says plays a big role in preparing his team for the clash against NU.
“Malaking bagay yung panalo namin kasi syempre yung importante dun is nagkakaroon kami ng positive attitude going into that game,” said Perasol.
“It will be a lot tougher going into Wednesday’s game. Pero whatever we’re going to do, again we go back into the basics.”
Ateneo talisman Kiefer Ravena is licking his lips for the chance to have another go at the Bulldogs, who have dealt them six straight losses in their last six meetings.
“It’s a chance for redemption, we haven’t beaten this team for the past two seasons,” said Ravena.
The last time the Bulldogs and the Eagles met in the UAAP, coach Altamirano’s side negated the then-top seeded Atenean’s twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals to complete a rare four game sweep of the Katipunan-based squad.
“I don’t know what will happen in this game, but I think NU will come in very prepared and we don’t want what happened last year to be repeated,” said Ravena.
“I think that is enough motivation for me and the rest of the team to bounce back and play really hard on Wednesday.”
The Bulldogs look to get their season on track when they go up against the Blue Eagles on Wednesday (September 16) at the Araneta Coliseum, after the 2p.m. meeting between the UE Red Warriors and the Adamson Falcons.
Related: Ravena leads Ateneo past Adamson, 84-60
