Bulldogs growling with pride, honor

MANILA, Philippines - In seventh heaven after ruling UAAP Season 77, newly crowned men’s basketball champion National University Bulldogs felt their victory meant more than a piece of treasured hardware.

“Finally, now we can say that we have earned the respect of the league,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano after his wards essayed the most remarkable achievement for the school since it won its first UAAP hoops diadem way, way back in 1954.

In the doldrums for the longest time, the Bulldogs had their date with destiny by clobbering Far Eastern U Tams, 75-59, for a come-from-behind 2-1 win in the title series that drew record turnouts.

The Bulldogs laced this historic triumph with distinction of being the first No. 4 seed to snatch the crown in the Final Four era.

“This is for all the players na nagdaan sa NU na nari-ridicule sila, pinagtatawanan sila, yung frustrations nila of not being able to win a single game (all the players of the past 60 years who went through ridicule and suffered the frustration of not winning games),” said Altamirano.

“Lahat ng paghihirap nila, naisip namin iyun ngayon, para sa kanila ito (All the hardships they went through before are on our minds so we dedicate this to them),” he added.

Altamirano’s crew restored pride among NU students and supporters who ably showed up at the venues – helping set record breaking crowds of 24,896 and 25,138 – to rally behind them.

“Dati pag naglalakad ka, NU ka, nahihiya ka, ayaw mo suot t-shirt mo (Before NU students couldn’t proudly wear an NU t-shirt). Ngayon, nakikita ko naglalakad sila (But now you can see them striding along with an NU t-shirt), they’re very proud of their school. So I’m just happy to be part of this community,” he said.

NU chairman Hans Sy wasn’t surprised that the program and massive recruitment they started six years ago would bear fruit so soon.

“It’s part of the plan. I wouldn’t say it came so fast; it was a year late pa nga,” said a happy Sy.

He was referring to the Season 76 campaign where NU got the top seed in the semis only to suffer a sorry meltdown against No. 4 University of Santo Tomas and crash out.

“Everything just fell into place. I wouldn’t say we predicted it but we worked very hard for it and one of the best things, I’ve been telling everyone, the win obviously showed it’s a team game, the one that played as a team won,” said Sy.

“Imagine, they were a bit demoralized when none of them went into the Mythical 5. Actually, from the beginning pa, some would say NU will not even be in the semis because we lost some stars and things like that. I guess that’s the drive that really pushed them,” he added.

The historic triumph was posted on a day the Sy patriarch, Henry, turned 80, making it even more special.

“The timing is great. Imagine if they won last year, it would be the 59th year (of drought); if they win it next year, it’s 61st. This year, 60th so talagang magandang timing (great timing)...Today (Wednesday) was my father’s 80th birthday so it was among the best birthday gifts,” said Hans.

NU is enjoying a surge in sports achievement this year, sweeping men’s and women’s basketball, aside from triumphs in badminton, men’s beach volleyball, girls’ volleyball, and cheerdance.

“A lot of people will think I spent a lot of money. Mga ginastos ko lang are really (my investments are on) facilities and equipment. Hindi yan dinadaan sa pera because you have to earn their respect and you impose discipline. And this is why I salute coach Eric, nakuha niya discipline ng mga bata (he instilled discipline) through respect and trust, hindi (not) through fear. Kanina, it showed they really trusted each other,” said Sy.

He said they are also thinking about the incentives the Bulldogs stand to get for the feat. “We’ll think of something more substantial that they can appreciate. Actually we have something in mind already, I’m going to take care a lot of their families.”