NATIONAL U is as determined as ever to reclaim its place as one of the 'big boys' in the UAAP.
However, the expected cavalry isn't coming just yet for the Bulldogs, who return a mostly intact core fronted by Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
For UAAP Season 88, the blue-and-gold was eagerly awaiting the promotion of its talented core of Bullpups - one-time MVP and first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe alongside NBTC All-Stars Migs Palanca and Mac Alfanta.
Only, Akowe and Palanca, who would've fortified NU's lacking frontcourt, decided to take their talents elsewhere.
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The good news for the Bulldogs is that Alfanta is staying put - once and for all.
Hey, NU, (don't) go
As Jhocson was seeing departures left and right in the last two months, from Akowe to Palanca and from RJ Colonia to Gab Nepacena, leaders Figueroa and Enriquez summoned their teammates.
According to sources, the two strongly stated their belief that National U is well on its way back to contention, and that everybody needs to do their part. That meant that all in that dorm room should prove to themselves and their teammates that they were a Bulldog through and through.
Alfanta was one of those in that team meeting - and ultimately re-affirmed his commitment.
The 6-foot guard normed 11.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in the Season 87 boys' basketball tournament and got selected to the NBTC All-Star Game for the second year in a row.
He is a two-way player who isn't necessarily a go-to scorer, but is a confident and capable playmaker and defender.
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Alfanta, 19, will give a shot in the arm to the Bulldogs' backcourt that already features Enriquez, Reinhard Jumamoy, Tebol Garcia, and Dwyne Miranda.
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