Bulldogs, underdogs

They placed last in the 2002 UAAP, winning only two of their 14 assignments. Coming to this 66th season, only 12 players complete the roster. They are undermanned, underrated. The NU Bulldogs are this year’s underdogs.

"Mas maganda para sa amin. Walang pressure sa mga bata," admitted coach Rico Perez.

What’s negative may actually turn out to be positive for the Bulldogs who came and conquered this year’s Fr. Martin Cup, beating DLSU along the way. According to Perez, the main objective of the team in entering the said league was to improve their cohesiveness. "Akala nila hindi namin kayang manalo kaya hindi nila kami pinansin. Nagulat na lang sila, nandu’n na kami sa finals," he said, quoting one of his players. Obviously, the team is using its underdog label as a challenge to deliver.

Now on his second year as head coach of the Bulldogs, after he took over last year when former coach Manny Dandan completed his exodus to the amateur commercial league, coach Rico is confident that the team is on its way to a more competitive season. He said that NU is in the process of adjusting its recruitment program and rebuilding the team. Alongside that is his principle that he would rather not force the issue and fill up his roster with players he doesn’t think he would be able to use anyway, players whom he think will not be able to rise to the level of competition in the UAAP; hence the 12-man line up.

He added that he has about four picks from the walk-in applicants in the tryouts who are now taking their residency. With six-eight months to work on them, coach Rico is hopeful that these transferees will be ripe for the next season. But for now, he has to make do with what he has. "Kumbaga sa palengke, hapon na. Napagpilian na ‘yung mga natira. Pero puwede pa," he reasoned.

Aside from having an incomplete and shallow bench, the Bulldogs will have a hard time barking at the post, lacking the services and prowess of a legit center. 6’4 Ray Mendoza will try but will definitely have a hard time against the big men of the other teams. Recognizing this weakness, however, gives the Bulldogs awareness that if they want to be competitive in the UAAP, they will have to learn to run the floor.

Focal point of offense will be 5’8 Froilan Baguion who made it to the mythical five in the 2001 season, and bagged the Most Improved Player award. He will be playing his last year, together with shooting forward Bryan Tolentino. Everyone is expecting them to work hard for a good exit season.

Lucky are the new recruits. They will certainly not be used sparingly. For the running game of coach Perez to work, regular substitution will be needed so players can rest and start with fresh legs throughout the game. Expected to play big minutes in the rotation are guards Chris Catamora, younger brother of 6’1" wingman Dave Catomora from Philippine College of Criminology, Philip Moradas from Jose Rizal University, Cyrus Malagueño from Adamson, and the only forward among the newcomers, Marlon Mollena from Bulacan.

Bulldogs made history in 2001 when they logged their best ever finish at fourth place. It was a feat not even PBA superstar Danny Ildefonso achieved for NU during his playing years in the collegiate ranks. And it was an achievement for which coach Dandan was honored by the UAAP.

For this year, coach Rico will remain realistic. His current team is still a long way from matching that accomplishment. He is only asking his players to work on improving their eighth finish from last year. "Making it to the fifth place will already be an achievement," said Perez.