MANILA, Philippines — National University hopes to recover fast from a stunning first loss when the Bulldogs tangle with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Friday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Bulldogs (3-1) and the Generals (2-2) clash in their Group C match at 2:15 p.m.
“We have everything to gain from playing them hard and going for a win,” said coach Gerry Esplana as his Generals try to duplicate Centra Escolar University’s upset of the Bulldogs. “It will give our team confidence not only in this tournament but also in the NCAA.”
Lyceum (3-2) and Letran (2-2), both in the middle of the pack in Group B, collide at 12:30 p.m., while Group A teams La Salle and University of the East take on separate opponents when the summer basketball tournament hits the road for the first time in Cebu.
“I’m excited about these games,” said UE center Charles Mammie. “It will be a huge test for us to see if we have bounced back [and] to play on the road against teams that will have the home crowd cheering for them.”
The Warriors (1-2) face University of San Carlos (1-3) at 5 p.m., while the UAAP champion Archers (1-1) battle unbeaten Southwestern University (3-0) at 7 p.m. at Mandaue City Sports Complex.
In Manila, the Bulldogs try to regain their shooting touch after a woeful outing in their surprise loss to the Scorpions, 58-61, last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs trailed the Scorpions by as many as 14 points after a pitiful start where they scored only five points in the first quarter on a miserable seven percent shooting clip.
Gelo Alolino, Alfred Aroga, Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin will lead the Bulldogs’ charge against the Generals’ Sydney Onwubere and Jan Jamon.