Last year’s exit helped NU get to the finals

Alfred Aroga of NU Bulldogs rebounds the ball against Gideon Bailonia of Ateneo de Manila University. Bulldogs advance to the finals as they beat Eagles, 65-63. NOY MORCOSO lll

MANILA, Philippines — A year after getting the bitter end of history, National University rewrote the record books Wednesday.

The Bulldogs were the first top-seeded team in the Final Four era to get booted out when they lost to University of Santo Tomas in Season 76 but it only took one season to turn their fortunes around.

“I think what happened to us last year was really to build our character and come to think of it, what happened that year made us tougher especially our veterans who were able to experience it last year,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano after knocking off top-seed Ateneo, 65-63, to make it first finals appearance in men’s basketball since 1970.

Those veterans Altamirano was referring to delivered with fourth-year guard Gelo Alolino and graduating forward Glenn Khobuntin scoring 12 of their team’s 19 points in the fourth quarter apart from their leadership on and off the floor.

“We won’t be here if not for Gelo and Glenn,” said Altamirano.

The Bulldogs clinched the No. 1 spot last season with two-time MVP Ray Parks leading the way but had an early exit out of the semifinals. Parks’ departure left a huge hole on the team but that also ultimately helped the Bulldogs to work more as one unit.

“Who would ever think that after one season we were able to redeem ourselves right away? When you look back three weeks ago, it all seemed far-fetched. I have to give it to the boys. They kept on fighting and they stayed together,” the cool and collected Altamirano added.

NU had to walk the tightrope and win three knockout games including a playoff with University of the East for the last Final Four slot and earn a date with Ateneo, which has lost only thrice in the elimination round but two of those came at the hands of the Bulldogs.

Ateneo ended up going 0-6 against NU dating back to last season.

After ending a 44-year finals drought, NU now has its sights on winning its first championship in 60 years here in the 70th Season of the UAAP.

“What got us to this point will get us to the next level. If we’ll need to win with our defense or with sharing the basketball, we will do that,” said Altamirano, whose team ranked No. 1 in defense entering the playoffs.

And defense did get the job done for the Bulldogs with Alfred Aroga preserving the monumental victory with a clean block on the Blue Eagles’ MVP Kiefer Ravena as time expired.

“It took us three times to get to the finals but finally, we were able to make it.”

RELATED STORIES

Stirring turnaround for ‘no-fear, no-regrets’ Bulldogs

Blue Eagles eye hot start this time; NU wary of Ateneo momentum

Campus Clash