INQUIRER Sports

WITH THE DEPARTURE OF ITS TOP FOUR SCORers, National University tries to count on the eagerness and energy of new talents this season.

?We lost the whole core, so this is a brand new team, a new breed,? said coach Manny Dandan of the Bulldogs, who lost graduation main man Edwin Asoro and veterans Raymond Aguilar, Jonathan Jahnke and Jessey Garcia.

Team captain Mervin Baloran, guard Michael Luy and big man Jewel Ponferrada hope to fill in and lift the Bulldogs from their cellar position last year.

Also hoping to add spark to the Bulldogs? bid are seven rookies led by former national youth team member Joseph Terso, Davao recruit Joseph Hermosisima and fomer San Beda player Ajeet Singh.

?I?m sure everybody would like to step up,? said Dandan. ?The problem is how consistent we?ll be.?

Dandan said the Bulldogs? rebuilding period is just starting after the family of mall magnate Henry Sy bought the majority shares of NU.