NU trips UP to boost Final 4 bid, eliminates UST

MANILA, Philippines -- National University hit two birds with one stone when it overpowered University of the Philippines, 66-51, Sunday in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

First, the Bulldogs boosted their bid for the Final Four by improving to 8-4, two wins ahead of University of the East (6-5), their closest rival for a semis berth, as of posting time.

As a result of NU’s eighth victory, the Bulldogs also effectively eliminated sixth-running Santo Tomas, who at 5-7 could no longer catch up and try to force a playoff for the last F4 slot. It’s the first time since 2010 for UST to miss out on the semis.

“We just have to take it one at a time. We have two more remaining games. Our goal is to at least win games we can win to be able to qualify for the Final Four,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

Without intending it, the Bulldogs got a payback of sorts against the Tigers, the ones responsible for shaming them in the F4 last season. NU was the top seed back then and enjoyed twice to beat advantage but fourth-ranked UST spoiled the Bulldogs’ run and beat them for a finals berth.

“Hindi naman namin inisip yun. Inisip lang namin ang sarili naming destiny. We have our own goal,” said Altamirano.

NU and UST will cross paths on Wednesday.

“When we play UST on Wednesday they will play with nothing to lose (attitude). Kami we need that win. Importante we play our game and not think of anything else other than our game,” Altamirano said.

The Bulldogs wasted little time asserting themselves against the Maroons (1-12), limiting their opponents to 8 and 9 in the first two quarters for a 29-17 lead.

“As what I told the boys, we have to assert our identity in the game and it had to start on our defense so I think, everything else evolved and followed from our defense,” said the NU mentor.

The Bulldogs choked UP to 30.36 percent clip while shooting 49.12 percent on the offensive end.

Alfred Aroga shrugged off back spasm to bang in 18 points that went with 10 rebounds and four blocks. With the hulking Cameroonian at the forefront, the taller Bulldogs dropped 46 markers inside the paint against UP’s 14.

“We felt we have an advantage inside so we really looked at attacking inside,” said Altamirano.