The National University Bulldogs went through a helluva battle to be the champions.
1. They battled the University of the East Red Warriors for the last slot in the Final Four.
2. They beat the number 1 seed Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles twice to advance into the finals, only the second team in UAAP basketball history to do so. Ironically, the first team that achieved the feat was the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and their victims? the NU Bulldogs in season 76 🙂
3. They beat the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in games 2 and 3.
NU made history in front of a mammoth crowd of 25,138 (which included former President Fidel Ramos and many former Bulldogs and Tamaraws), the biggest ever for a basketball event in the Philippines. They last won the championship in 1954…even before my parents were born. Wow. Sixty years in the making, and they deserve this more than anyone else. They worked hard for this and invested time and money. They have become a much better team now than when they still had Bobby Ray Parks. No offense to the guy, but it did look like everything ran around Parks and the rest of the team just played supporting roles. Guys like Khobuntin, Neypes and Javelona are playing much bigger roles this season and everyone really stepped up. Alolino is a more mature leader. And what can I say about Aroga? He has all the skills a coach could ever ask for…but his attitude is the best thing about him. He listens, he inspires and remains humble.
You reading this, UST? 😉
Admittedly, I called it in favor of FEU. I wanted them to win right after Terence Romeo left, hehe. I was especially rooting for Tolomia and Belo and the returning Russell Escoto. But they don’t have anything to be ashamed of. There’s always next year! Heads up, Tams!
Congratulations, NU! A much deserved win.
