Bulldogs try to bolster semis bid

National U tries to make it two in a row over University of Santo Tomas and bolster its Final Four bid as they clash in the lone varsity encounter in the 69th UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

The Bulldogs blasted the Tigers, 98-85, in their first round meeting last July 29 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with Jonathan Fernandez and Edwin Asoro dominating with 24 and 21 points, respectively.

They are again expected to carry the cudgels for the Bulldogs, the perennial whipping team now gunning for their first semis appearance since 2001.

NU is currently at fourth spot with a 3-4 (win-loss) slate with a victory in its 4 p.m. encounter with UST giving the Bulldogs a share of third place with defending champion Far Eastern U (4-4).

The Tigers are languishing in sixth place among seven teams with a 2-5 card,

Ateneo leads the field with a 7-0 slate, sustaining its romp with a thrilling 66-65 victory over Adamson last Thursday.

Host University of the East is at second with a 5-2 record.

"Honestly, our goal is to just keep on fighting and working harder every game," said NU coach Manny Dandan, who steered the school to its only Final Four appearance five years ago.

"Now if we could make it to the Final Four, that would be a big bonus and a tribute to the boys’ hard work," he added.