NATIONAL University looks to end its dismal run as it faces a team it shut down last season, when the Bulldogs and Ateneo Blue Eagles clash on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Winless in two games, the Bulldogs try to finally get its their title bid going as they take on the Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. The last time a titleholder went 0-3 was Ateneo in 2013.
NU had much success last season against Ateneo, winning all four games including the two Final Four matches to advance to the title series.
NU coach Eric Altamirano, however, said he doesn’t expect his team to win over Ateneo if they continue their play that has led to their poor start, including a 31-turnover output in their 71-76 defeat to University of the East on Saturday.
[See Rookie Bon Batiller shows way as UE Warriors keep titleholder NU Bulldogs winless]
“With the way we played and with the way Ateneo played, I don’t think we have a chance. Ateneo was sharp. Perhaps, we need to do something different,” said Altamirano.
Ateneo, on the other hand, hopes to continue its winning ways after an 84-60 victory over Adamson on Saturday that evened its card to 1-1.
“Malaking bagay ’yung panalo namin kasi ang importante doon, nagkakaroon kami ng positive attitude going to that game,” said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol, who watched the NU-UE match to scout the opposition.
[See Ravena leads from front as Ateneo atones for horror debut with win over Adamson]
“It will be a lot tougher pero whatever we are going to do, we go back to the basics. Kailangan namin magkaroon ng attitude na kaya namin,” said Perasol.
UE goes for its second consecutive victory as it plays winless Adamson at in the 2 p.m. game
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