Defending champ NU still eyeing first victory

Gelo Alolino looks to lead the Bulldogs out of a slump. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University tries to snap out of a winless start against the team it has dominated in the last two seasons.

But NU coach Eric Altamirano won’t use history as crutch when his defending champion Bulldogs battle a more confident Ateneo in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“With the way we played [last week], definitely we’re the underdogs,” Altamirano said of his Bulldogs, who own a 6-0 head-to-head record against the Blue Eagles in the last two years.

The Eagles go for back-to-back wins when they take on the Bulldogs at 4 p.m. while University of the East also looks to improve its slate to 2-1 when it battles Adamson in the first game at 2 p.m.

Surprisingly at the bottom, the Bulldogs hope to find a quick fix after their title defense got off to a painful start with losses to La Salle, 67-63, and UE, 76-71.

“We’re the ones who got ourselves into this hole, so we have to get out,” said NU big man Alfred Aroga, last year’s Finals MVP who has yet to regain his aggressive play.

The Eagles think they’ve picked up their form with last season’s MVP Kiefer Ravena getting enough support from Von Pessumal and rookie Aaron Black.

The Eagles rebounded with an 84-60 thrashing of the Falcons last Saturday after opening their bid with a a horrific 24-point setback to Far Eastern University, 88-64.

“It’s a chance for redemption,” said Ravena.