UAAP: National U eyes payback vs UE

Alfred Aroga. PHOTO by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the East pulled off one of the season’s early surprises when it stunned defending champion National University.

But the Bulldogs, on a steady climb since then, expect a different outcome this time when they clash with the Warriors at the start of the second round of UAAP men’s basketball Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“We want to stay positive,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “There’s no point dwelling in the past. We just have to move on.”

That upset turned out to be one of just two wins by the Warriors in the first round, while the Bulldogs improved to fifth with a
3-4 record.

“Honestly, I’m disappointed,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren. “We’re a better team [than our record shows].”

The Warriors fell into a tie at 2-5 with University of the Philippines, which also hopes to arrest its skid versus Adamson at 2 p.m.

NU and UE tangle at 4 p.m., where Altamirano and Pumaren expect to see their teams play with consistency.

“It’s important for us to win as many games to get back to the upper bracket,” said Altamirano as the Bulldogs try to rebound from a loss to the Far Eastern U Tamaraws, 61-59.

“We have to play consistent the entire 40 minutes. Part of our loss [against FEU] is our doing.”

The Warriors are coming off a loss to University of Santo Tomas, 83-76, despite the solid outing of Paul Varilla, who posted a personal-best 25 points.