Grit and grind: Bulldogs eye spot on top; FEU aims to regain winning form

Games today:

(Blue Eagle Gym)

2:30 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo

6 p.m. — NU vs Adamson

National University (NU) has no intention of slowing down as it looks to sustain its strong first round performance into the crucial half of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament eliminations.

Riding the crest of their three-game winning streak, the Bulldogs set their sights on a repeat against Adamson University for a share of the lead in their rematch today at the Blue Eagle Gym.

NU returns to action at 6 p.m. after a six-day break following its 69-65 win over Far Eastern University (FEU) to end the first round.

The Bulldogs hold a 5-2 win-loss record just behind league-leading University of the Philippines (6-2), which is currently on a four-game romp.

NU head coach Jeff Napa hopes his wards will bring the same fire they have shown in the opening salvo of hostilities.

“Hopefully, they’ll bring the same resilience from the first round. The grit and grind. We have to stay true to our identity. We have to emphasize that as coaches,” Napa said.

The Bulldogs have not only the momentum of a winning run on their side but also the psychological advantage over the same rival they blew out 85-66 in their first meeting on 7 October.

Napa will bank on PJ Palacielo, Paul Francisco, Tebol Garcia, Reinahrd Jumamoy and foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana to complete a head-to-head sweep over the Falcons.

Palacielo recognizes the challenge ahead as the competition for the Final Four seats intensifies.

“It’s not because we (seniors) are taking charge that we don’t need contributions from our rookies and bench. We always remind them that we are a 16-man team so we have to be ready when our numbers are called. It’s a fact that, those from the primary rotation will perform well all the time,” Palacielo said.

“We kept reminding everyone that if we want to get to the finals, we have to be contenders first. We have to show that not just 10 players but all 16 can contribute and play,” he added.

Adamson is in the middle of the pack alongside FEU with identical 4-3 slates.

Falcons head coach Nash Racela expects the team to face a tougher challenge in the second round.

“At this point, my players should know that I trust them so well. And I’m seeing that slowly that they’re building trust in me also. I like that relationship that we’re building. So hopefully, we can really sustain that and bring that into the second round,” Racela said.

Meanwhile, the Tamaraws take on Ateneo de Manila University at 2:30 p.m. in the curtain-raiser.

After recording its best start in 11 years, FEU suffered back-to-back losses to close the first round.

Ateneo, meanwhile, opened the season with a promising 3-1 slate before enduring a three-game losing streak that dropped the Blue Eagles to seventh place heading into the second round.

Interim coach Louie Alas is hoping his team gets a fresh start and plays with maturity to advance into the next round.

“Shot selection, we have to mature. I know we can do a lot better, so I told them that’s the last thing that I’m going to do — to give up on them. I’m still here; I will teach, we will practice hard, and we will not stop,” Alas said.

FEU drew first blood in a dominating fashion, carving out a 93-70 first-round victory over Ateneo on 10 October behind center Mo Konateh’s career-high 29 points.