NATIONAL University coach Eric Altamirano still remembers how University of the East waylaid his team last summer.
Altamirano now expects it to be a motivation for his Bulldogs when they go for a share of the lead versus the Warriors in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“UE really outplayed us in the finals of Filoil (Flying V preseason tournament),” Altamirano said of the game the Warriors won.
“(Roi) Sumang was able to assert himself, so that’s one of the things we have to look at. Also, there’s the domination of (Charles) Mammie inside.”
The Bulldogs, who launched this year’s campaign by humbling the Ateneo Blue Eagles, go for a second consecutive win against the Warriors, the preseason favorites reeling from a shock opening-day loss, at 4 p.m.
University of Santo Tomas and Adamson, both winners in their opening games, also try to keep pace with idle leader Far Eastern University (2-0) at 2 p.m.
Two-time MVP Ray Parks will be NU’s main man after coming away with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the Bulldogs’ trampling of five-time champ Ateneo, 64-54.
Altamirano, however, said their game was far from perfect despite Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe also posting 14 points and 15 rebounds.
“We had 23 turnovers [against Ateneo] and most of them happened in the fourth, so we really have to correct this,” said Altamirano.
“Their feet should be brought back to the ground,” UE coach Boycie Zamar said of his Warriors, who bowed to FEU, 89-78.
Coach Leo Austria, too, expects a more disciplined squad even if his Falcons opened with a 79-67 rout of University of the Philippines.
“We can’t be disorganized because we’re not that talented compared to the other teams,” said Austria.
UST coach Pido Jarencio, meanwhile, expects gunner Aljon Mariano to be back in top shape after playing with an ankle sprain in their 63-58 overtime escape over La Salle.
“Aljon will be 100 percent and the rest of our players 200 percent,” said Jarencio.