History beckons for Tams, Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - History and personal milestones are at stake for National U Bulldogs and Far Eastern U Tamaraws when they mix it up one last time tomorrow to dispute the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball crown.

Aside from putting an end to a harrowing 60-year title drought, the Bulldogs could put the cherry on top by becoming the first fourth seed since the implementation of the Final Four format in 1994 to capture the coveted diadem.

For the Tams, pulling off a title conquest again after a nine-year spell would make them the first ever squad to reach the 20-crown plateau in the prestigious and highly competitive UAAP collegiate caging.

The winner-take-all explodes tomorrow before another expected full house at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

If he steers the Jhocson-based squad to the diadem, it will also be a personal double for soft-spoken NU mentor Eric Altamirano.

As a player back in 1986, Altamirano ably quarterbacked and set the winning plays for University of the Philippines teammates Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and current NU assistant Joey Guanio in leading the Maroons to their first and only UAAP men’s cage plum.

“It’s a different feeling but I’m really blessed to be in both situations, being in the finals as a player and as coach,” said Altamirano.

Now coaching in the finals, he can make his players share the treasured winning experience.

“Andun yung excitement, excited for the school, excited for my players (The excitement is there, both for the school and my players); Syempre, I want them to experience being in the finals but then again, we have to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand,” said Altamirano.

Altamirano has won two titles in the PBA coaching Purefoods (1997 All-Filipino) and Mobiline (1998 Centennial Cup).

On the other side of the bench stands Nash Racela, who is on the hunt for his first championship in the collegiate ranks. He previously called the shots for San Beda in 2004 but the Lions lost to Perpetual Help in the Final Four. Further back in 2001, Racela led the Batangas Blades to the MBA national crown.

Racela’s assistant, former PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos can also gain another personal achievement if the Tams win it. Abarrientos had earlier enjoyed championship campaigns with FEU playing in both the juniors (1987) and seniors divisions (1991).