Unbeaten NU eyes Filoil hoops semifinal berth

JUST days after arriving from overseas training, National University hopes to pick up right where it left off in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.

The Bulldogs, the only unbeaten squad in the eliminations at 8-0, shoot for a Final Four berth against a rugged Letran squad at 2 p.m. today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“We’ve done a good job in the eliminations but we’ll be facing tougher teams in the playoffs,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano before the Bulldogs left for Perth, Australia, where they competed against semi-professional teams.

NCAA champion San Beda and La Salle fight for the last semifinal slot in the other quarterfinal match at 4 p.m.

Although the Green Archers aim to advance, La Salle coach Gee Abanilla said he’d rather see better team chemistry.

“There’s always pressure to win,” said Abanilla. “But if you win games and don’t improve, it defeats the purpose.”

University of the East and University of Santo Tomas arranged a knockout semifinal duel after disposing of their gritty quarterfinal foes.

The Tigers claimed the first Final Four slot after upsetting the higher seeded Arellano, 83-73, while the Warriors downed Adamson, 66-58, last Monday.