Bulldogs kick off drive vs Archers

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena)

12 noon – DLSU vs NU

4 p.m. – FEU vs AdMU

MANILA, Philippines - Unlike the previous year when they were hardly considered a threat, holders National University Bulldogs know there’s a large bull’s eye mark on their backs when they kick off their campaign in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney today against La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Favorites? That’s really what happens when you’re coming off a championship. So we just have to embrace it,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

The Bulldogs worked their way up to their first title in 60 years last season, emerging from a playoff for No. 4, toppling the top seeded team Ateneo and erasing a 0-1 series deficit to beat Far Eastern for the plum.

“Last year, we’re in a very ideal situation because we were under the radar, nobody expected us to be there. This year, since we’re the champions, the target is on our back. I keep reminding the boys we can’t come in thinking we’re the champions. That victory happened last year. We should treat it like last year and be hungry, driven,” said Altamirano.

The Bulldogs face the rookie-laden Green Archers at 12 noon.

“It’s always tough to play the first game for any team,” said Altamirano, who will lean on veterans Gelo Alolino and Alfred Aroga.

“We expect it to be a very tough and exciting game,” said DLSU’s Juno Sauler, who has nine rookies in his roster this year. “NU is a very strong team and they’re the defending champion, they’re well-coached and the experience they got from winning the championship last year will be a big help to them.”