Eric Altamirano and the NU Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NU lived to fight another day.
With their fortunes hanging on a tightrope, the Bulldogs took care of business and gave themselves the cushion they badly needed with a pulsating 70-68 victory over FEU on Saturday.
Thanks largely to Gelo Alolino, who has fully embraced the the role of the go-to-guy for NU in UAAP season 78.
Alolino has consistently rose to the occasion for NU, and Saturday was no different as he drilled the biggest shot of the game—a ahead short stab over Alfrancis Tamsi and Prince Orizu with 33.5 seconds that sealed the final score.
“Sobrang thankful ako na pumasok,” he said, as the senior finished with 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists. “Para sa team, yun lang ang nasa isip ko. Tumawag si coach ng pick-and-roll sa top, (of the arc), so thankful ako na na-deliver ko.”
(I’m thankful that the shot went in. It’s for the team, and it’s all I’m thinking about. Coach called for a pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, so I’m thankful that I delivered.)
Coach Eric Altamirano gave credit where credit is due and praised his team captain.
“You can see the maturity of Gelo’s game. He’s the type of player who loves to ball in the end game and we are not going to hesitate on giving Gelo the ball in the end although it’s still a team ball offense,” he said. “I think even if we’re going to Gelo, his teammates know where to space out and it’s a give-and-take.
Sometimes, Gelo would find them open, and sometimes, the opportunity will present itself to Gelo. I’m really thankful to have Alolino on our team.”
The win enabled NU to secure at least a playoff for the fourth spot, but Altamirano still isn’t focusing on the Final Four implications just yet with still a game date left in the elimination round.
“We’re still not thinking about it.”
But the Bulldogs, who have survived countless of do-or-die matches in the past, is ready for anything.
“We’re just waiting the result on Wednesday’s game. The important thing is we hurdled our assignment. This is our goal, to take care of business whatever’s in our hands. Now, we leave it up to God, our destiny depends on that game on Wednesday. If there’s a playoff, so be it. We’ll just be ready for that.”