Gorayeb, NU eye UAAP Final Four stint amid tight race

NU Lady Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

With a season they are having having, National University head coach Roger Gorayeb knows a top-2 finish for the Lady Bulldogs is off the equation.

“Twice-to-beat malabo na so we’re trying to survive to either third or fourth,” Gorayeb said after their win against University of the East Sunday.

National University has a 5-5 record and is tied with Far Eastern University at fourth seed but the two teams are precariously perched on that spot with University of Santo Tomas on the prowl with a 4-5 record.

Gorayeb added Ateneo is in a primer position to stay at the top two and the Lady Eagles’ defeat to University of the Philippines will not impact their hold of that spot.

What UP, which is at third place with a 6-1 record, did was shake up the middle of the table.

“Masyado nang malaki lamang, yung pagkakapanalo ng UP sa Ateneo, hindi na sila apektado kasi yung nasa baba naghahabulan kami.”

NU only has four games left on its schedule, but is facing a tough bunch with FEU, UST, UP and De La Salle University with the two University-belt teams vying for a Final Four spot and the latter two holding on to its spots in the top.

Gorayeb said the final stretch is the time when his team has to put on the work and close out the season.

“Kailangan kong ibalik yung spark sa kanila, ‘ito na, maganda na laro natin, pukpukin niyo na mga sarili niyo,’ yan na lang masasabi ko sa kanila,” Gorayeb said.