Bulldogs, Tamaraws seal title duel: One big bite at History

Games on Saturday (MOA Arena)

11 a.m. – NU vs FEU (women’s finals)

3:30 p.m. – FEU vs NU (men’s finals)

MANILA, Philippines - The National University Bulldogs completed a cluster of feats in the season that a UAAP men’s crown in the end could only come as gravy to its long arduous journey.

Consider: The Bulldogs were the first top seed in the Final Four era to be ousted last year and did the trick this time on top seed Ateneo, which they whipped four straight times in the season, the last a sweet 65-63 decision that sent NU to the finals yesterday.

It was the first championship stint in 44 years for the Bulldogs and only the third, including a first-ever crown in 1954-55, since NU joined the experimental Big 3 league in 1938, a precursor of the NCAA, the others being University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.

It finally reached its goal in the fourth year of an aggressive sports program under the leadership of new owner – the Sy family.

Gelo Alolino drilled in a clutch game-tying trey and converted two pressure-packed charities then Alfred Aroga came through with a huge block against a driving Kiefer Ravena as the Bulldogs prevailed before a jampacked crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs previously beat the Eagles, 78-74, to set yesterday’s do-or-die.

“Our experience last year helped build our character. If you think about it, what happened last year made us tougher this year, especially the veterans who experienced it first-hand and vowed it won’t happen again,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano, himself a member of a first-ever champion team from UP in 1986.

“I thank God for giving us another opportunity to redeem ourselves. Who would have ever thought we would be able to redeem ourselves and get into the finals just one year later?” he added.

NU is in its first finals appearance since 1970, when it lost to then six-time titlist University of the East. The drought for a title drags even longer for NU at 60 years running.

For Altamirano and his staff, the breakthrough finally came on their third try at the Final Four, an accomplishment the soft-spoken mentor likened to the biblical “Jericho wall.”

“I was reading the Bible and the story of Jericho and I think the message given to me by God today was that finally, we’re able to break the walls of our own Jericho. And now we’re close to reaching the Promised Land,” he said.

Ateneo seized a 63-60 lead on a bucket by Ravena and a split by Gboy Babilonia going to the last 2:22. Alolino then entered the fray and fired from long range to even things up, and after an exchange of unproductive offensives, he drew a foul on Nico Elorde to get to the stripe. No problem there and Alolino converted both, giving NU a 65-63 cushion going to the last 9.3.

A “power fluctuation” brought about by the afternoon thunderstorms led to a half-hour delay. When play finally resumed, Ateneo went to Ravena, who drove and faced a waiting Aroga who swatted it away to deny the Season MVP and the former five-peat champ AdMU.

“During the delay, I just told don’t try to exert energy while on the bench, just stay focused and wait until it’s time to get onto the court,” Altamirano said.

“We knew where they’re going and we’re able to stop it. I thank Alfred Aroga for bailing us out again with his defense; his blocked shot, that really stamped the game,” he added.

Aroga had 14 points and 12 rebounds plus two blocks while Alolino added 12.

Chris Newsome paced Ateneo with 22 in his last game while Ravena finished with 18.

The scores:

NU 65 – Aroga 14, Alolino 12, Khobuntin 11, Rosario 9, Javelona 8, Neypes 4, Diputado 3, Alejandro 2, Perez 2, Betayene 0, Atangan 0.

AdMU 63 – Newsome 22, Ravena 18, Elorde 8, Pessumal 8, Babilonia 4, V. Tolentino 2, Gotladera 1, Apacible 0, Capacio 0, A. Tolentino 0.

Quarterscores: 12-8, 32-27, 46-47, 65-63