NU Bulldogs with head coach Eric Altamirano during the huddle. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Don’t count out the defending champions just yet.
National University head coach Eric Altamirano remained calm and positive amid the Bulldogs’ dismal 0-3 start following a double overtime loss to Ateneo Wednesday night.
READ: UAAP: Ravena’s clutch efforts lift Ateneo past NU in double OT
“As long as we still have games to play, we still have hope,” Altamirano told reporters after the Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking 74-70 defeat.
“Just like any other loss you have to move on. Don’t dwell on this game and we just have to focus on our next game which is UST.”
NU is tied with another winless team in Adamson at the bottom of the standings early this UAAP season 78.
READ: Amid 0-2 start, Bulldogs left looking for championship identity
Twice, NU had a chance to nail its first victory but on both occasions, the Bulldogs ended up seeing Kiefer Ravena rescuing the Blue Eagles in the final seconds of regulation and the first extra period.
And in the second overtime, the absence of the Bulldogs star center Alfred Aroga was too big of a loss to overcome as Ateneo took advantage of the situation with its Nigerian center Chibueze Ikeh able to impose his size on both ends of the floor with 14 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks.
“It’s hard without Alfred, it’s really hard. We were outrebounded,” Altamirano pointed out.
“We just capitalized on Aroga who sat down on the bench for the past two overtimes and I think that was a key for us,” Ravena said.
Ateneo dominated the rebounding department, 57-46, with the 6-foot-8 Ikeh grabbing more offensive boards with 14 than the entire NU combined with 13.
Altamirano also thinks his team didn’t get a fair shake when it came to officiating with Ateneo being awarded with 43 trips to the line compared to NU’s 16 free throw attempts.
“We didn’t get the calls today, 43 versus 16 [free throws]. I don’t complain to the referees, never, I respect them. But I felt they were already fouling Gelo (Alolino) during the fourth quarter but they did not call the foul naagaw yung bola (the ball got stolen) and it happened twice, twice it got stolen,” he said.
“Twice. That’s the game right there. I feel bad for the boys. But then again, there’s nothing we could do. That’s the refs decision. The breaks didn’t go our way in the end.”
Altamirano feels the Bulldogs just have to stick with what they’re doing and eventually the reward will follow.
“We have to continue to remain steadfast. Focus on what we’re doing. Do not waver. Just continue to work hard and good things will come out of it.”