Bulldogs eye s’final incentive vs Eagles today

NATIONAL University shoots for the first semifinal bonus against an Ateneo squad hoping to overcome adversities on and off the court in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament today at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs gun for a 10th victory in 14 outings in their final elimination game at 4 p.m. versus the Blue Eagles, who retaliated yesterday after University of the East claimed that the defending champions violated a league rule.

Far Eastern University battles winless University of the Philippines in the 2 p.m. match where the Tamaraws aim to secure at least a playoff for the twice-to-beat semifinal bonus.

The Blue Eagles, who are fighting for the last Final Four slot with idle University of Santo Tomas, face possible forfeiture of a won game over the Warriors for allegedly violating a league rule that bars suspended team officials from staying on “the bench or the venue.”

UE sent a letter to the UAAP board on Monday, noting that Ateneo coach Bo Perasol was seen on the premises of MOA Arena during his suspension.

But Ateneo countered yesterday in a letter to league officials that UE may have also violated a league rule that bars suspended players from staying on “the bench and its immediate vicinity.”

Ralf Olivares, who was serving a suspension in the same game, was “seen seated behind the UE bench,” Ricky Palou, Ateneo’s representative to the UAAP board, said in the letter.

Palou requested the board to “conduct an investigation of this matter” so that “the appropriate sanctions can be imposed.”

A violation of the rules on suspended team officials and players merits a game forfeiture.

The Eagles won the game, 77-72, last Sunday and eliminated the Warriors from Final Four contention.

In the letter, Palou also listed other players “seen in the immediate vicinity at times when they should have been serving suspension” this season, including FEU’s RR Garcia, UE’s Charles Mammie and Lord Casajeros and La Salle’s Thomas Torres.

The UAAP board will tackle the issue in a meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are vying for the twice-to-bid advantage for the first time since the league implemented the Final Four format in 1994.

National U, La Salle and FEU are tied at the top with 9-4 records, but the Bulldogs own a higher quotient. So even if both the Bulldogs and the Tamaraws pick up their 10th win today, only NU will be guaranteed of the twice-to-beat edge.

“We can’t rest on our laurels,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “I believe we can do better and still improve.”