THERE is a need for the National University Bulldogs to play with a sense of urgency.
Bulldogs coach Eric Altamirano said this as the team prepares to meet the unbeaten La Salle Green Archers at 4 p.m. today in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
Alarm bells started ringing within the NU camp after the Bulldogs absorbed a 69-73 loss to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers last Saturday.
The Bulldogs are experiencing a three-game slump which they need to recover from.
“We have to play with a sense of urgency at this point of the season. I hope the boys will respond positively and hopefully, we can turn the season around to our advantage,” said Altamirano.
The Bulldogs have slipped to a share of fourth spot with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, who will meet the University of the East Warriors earlier at 12 noon.
During their game with UST, Altamirano noted that NU shot just 38 percent from the field.
On the other hand, the Green Archers are coming off a 78-72 win over the Maroons to stay unbeaten in nine games.
Jeron Teng, who is back from an injury, led the way for the Green Archers. He contributed 21 points while Ben Mbala dominated the paint with 17 points and 20 rebounds.
La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo said he is now seeing how tough the team can get after their game with UP.
“We responded well to that tough game. It was a tough game but it showed how the players responded to pressure. We shared the basketball well, and we played defense as a team,” said Ayo.
In particular the La Salle mentor said he was pleased with how his player were able to play spontaneous basketball as they responded well to the adjustments made by the Fighting Maroons on defense.
The defensive adjustments by UP allowed the underdog squad to give the favored Green Archers fits during the tightly contested game.
Ayo said the UP defense disrupted their game plans. He was relieved that his players were eventually able to adjust despite the disruptive defense adopted by the Fighting Maroons.
Games Today
(at the Arena in San Juan)
2 p.m. UE vs Ateneo
4 p.m. La Salle vs NU