Diputado keeping the faith amid Bulldogs’ latest struggles

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Things haven’t really been that great for National University in the past games.

Falling for the fourth straight time, the once promising Bulldogs now find themselves out of the top four with 4-6 card.

But Rev Diputado is keeping the faith that NU can barge back into the Final 4.

“Siguro may chance pa rin kami,” he said. “Focus na lang kami sa next game versus Ateneo.”

Finishing with a season-best 23 points and five assists in NU’s 113-88 defeat to La Salle last Wednesday, Diputado said that the team is doing its best to break out of this funk heading into the crucial stretch of the elimiation round.

But it’s not easy, with the Bulldogs not getting any breaks for their already shallow frontline.

That weakness was put in the spotlight against MVP frontrunner Ben Mbala and the Green Archers. They were outrebounded by La Salle (51-24) as Alfred Aroga struggled and fouled out with only two points, two rebounds, and five assists to boot.

“Na-foul trouble si Alfred, tapos yung mga kapalitan nya, maliliit na,” said Diputado.

Not helping coach Eric Altamirano’s already thin frontline was Matthew Aquino ineligibility with finality, and the sorry news of Josh Sinclair season-ending ACL surgery.

The diminutive Diputado even had to box out the towering Mbala once, but as expected, it was to no avail.

“Sobrang lakas ng katawan nya. Sinubukan ko ibox-out pero hindi ko kaya,” the third-year point guard said.
But that game is done, and the main focus for the Bulldogs is to end the slide, and it starts on Sunday against the Blue Eagles.

“Move on na lang kami and focus sa next game. Stay positive and stay together,” said Diputado.