More than making Final 4, NU just wants to start winning again

NU head coach Eric Altamirano. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

As the elimination round dwindles down to its final pauses, National University is in danger of becoming afterthoughts.

National University had one of the better starts in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament as the Bulldogs went 4-2, but that win total stood still as the losses piled up to sixth straight.

University of the Philippines stunned the Season 77 champions, 71-66, as the Fighting Maroons leveled with the Bulldogs to a precarious fifth seed.

READ: UP keeps Final 4 bid alive, pushes NU to 6th straight loss

Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano is aware they have to rely on other teams to lose if they want a chance to advance to the Final Four.

“Mahirap [na hindi mo na control], but we just have to take care of our last games, give it our best shot to win those,” said Altamirano Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “It’s more than making the Final Four, makabalik lang sa panalo uli.”

Adamso is at fourth seed with a 5-5 record, but even University of Santo Tomas, which holds a 3-8 slate, still has a mathematical chance to make the semifinals.

READ: Rookie Verano leads Ateneo past struggling NU

A loss in the Bulldogs’ remaining two games against University of the East and Adamson could potentially eliminate them from title contention.

“I think mathematically we have a chance pero we’re already relying on other teams,” said Altamirano. “Dasal atsaka gawa, we have to continue to practice and focus on our next two games.”