Bulldogs see do-or-die duel in title chase

MANILA, Philippines - Title-hungry and history-seeking National U, a team that has thrived on do-or-die situations in the playoffs of UAAP Season 77, tries to hurdle another one on Wednesday and come out victorious in the final battle for the coveted crown.

“It’s another do-or-die situation sa amin. Kung paano kami nag-prepare before, kung ano ginawa namin sa do-or-die games, yun ang dapat ilagay sa utak namin (We should take Game Three with the same approach, mentality and intensity as the previous do-or-die games),” said NU veteran guard Gelo Alolino.

The Bulldogs have emerged unscathed in four previous win-or-go-home matches, beginning with the playoff for the fourth and last semis berth against University of the East.

The Sampaloc-based cagers then toppled No. 1 Ateneo in a two-game reversal to reach the finals against the No. 2 Far Eastern U.

The Tams took the opener, 75-70, putting the Bulldogs on the brink, but NU fought back with 62-47 rout that brought the finals down to a winner-take-all affair.

An NU victory will finally end the longest title drought among the UAAP schools at 60 years, along the way making history as the first No. 4 to go all the way since the Final Four format was introduced in the 1990s.

“Hindi naman sa sanay na sa do-or-die kaso lang kailangan talaga naming ilabas ang laro pag do-or-die (It’s not that we’re used to playing under pressure but we realized the urgent need to bring our best games in do-or-die matches),” said Alolino.

FEU has also shown its ability to overcome the immense pressure of a rubbermatch, beating La Salle in its third game of the Final Four duel.

For the decider, Alolino said it would be a matter of desire.

“Tie lang ang series, wala nang may advantage (It’s an even series, no one has the clear advantage anymore),” said the 6-foot guard.

“Bigay na namin lahat, gawin namin ang best, yung nga, one game na lang at expected naming na ang FEU ibibigay din lahat. Kung sino na lang ang mas may gusto (We will both go all-out so it will be a question of who wants it more),”he added.