UAAP Season 80 Preview: NU Bulldogs ready to pull off surprises
Coach: Jamike Jarin
Last Season: 5-9 (5th Place)
Holdovers: J-Jay Alejandro, Matt Salem, Rev Diputado
Additions: Issa Gaye, Jonas Tibayan, Enzo Joson
Key Losses: Alfred Aroga, Med Salim, Joshua Sinclair, JV Gallego
Winner in every level he’s been in, coach Jamike Jarin embarks on a new chapter in his career as he is tasked to lead National University this upcoming season.
And for the seasoned mentor, there’s only one word to describe this campaign with the Bulldogs: a challenge.
“I like challenges,” he said. “The goal right now, realistically, is to be very competitive. Meaning to
say, we need to get to the Final Four because that’s the main objective. It will take a lot of hard work and you know that we’re the dark horse going into the Final Four, but hopefully, with a little hard work and a lot of luck, it’s attainable.”
Jarin inherits a young NU team, which failed to make it to the semifinals for the first time in five years last season.
But the bench tactician likes what he’s seeing from his lineup with J-Jay Alejandro and Matt Salem serving as the team’s leaders.
“J-Jay Alejandro and Matt Salem will be carrying the load for this season. With Issa Gaye joining us, that will be a good help also. And the bench will play a big, major role in our quest this season,” he said.
But more than the manpower, what makes Jarin successful is his tried-and-tested system, something which he is hoping the Bulldogs have already bought into.
“It takes a lot of time to really adapt to what you really want. But then, the only thing is I’m very fortunate personally because I inherited a group that has this good attitude — that has winning attitude, great culture. So you have to give credit to coach Eric Altamirano and his coaching staff for doing a great job,” he said.
With that said, Jarin expects nothing less from this NU crew to bring in the energy for the full 40 minutes.
“We’re gonna come in with a lot of energy. We’re gonna come in very competitive. We’re gonna come in all-out, and ready to surprise everybody.”
