Bulldogs down erratic Maroons, 74-64

MANILA, Philippines – The National U Bulldogs were all business on Sunday, dealing an erratic University of the Philippines a 74-64 in Day 2 of the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament. "I was not surprised that we won, I was surprised how we won," said NU Bulldogs coach Manny Dandan, adding his coaching staff made a lot of work breaking down UP's game that provided them with insights on how to defeat the Maroons. "Gusto talaga naming manalo, because sa preseason lagi kaming tambak sa UP," added Dandan. "We scouted them. We had a lot of sleepless nights especially the coaching staff because we want to win in our first game." Dandan added that the Bulldogs are well conditioned to play this year because of their new facilities and quarters, courtesy of the family of tycoon Henry Sy, the new owners of the school. "May konting allowance din pero hindi naman 'yon ang mahalaga. Ang mahalaga sa amin, may maayos na mapagpapraktisan at matutulugan ang mga players," said Dandan, even requesting the media to visit NU and check out its new facilities. The Bulldogs showed that they are in top shape as their defense forced the Maroons to a horrendous 37 turnovers, just two below the current record of 39 posted by, ironically, their predecessors at NU in 2005. But for Dandan, the important thing is that the team can now compete. And the Bulldogs indeed showed their fangs starting in the second quarter wherein they turned an 18-10 lead by the Maroons in the first quarter into a 26-11 advantage after the first half. The Bulldogs didn't stop there but continued to play tough defense and manned the shaded area well with second year center Jewel Ponferrada making his presence felt. With their defense providing offensive breaks, the Bulldogs even posted a 70-44 lead in the last quarter. "Mahalaga ang ginagampanan role ni Jewel," said Dandan, referring to the center from Holy Cross of Davao whom he is developing as a possible Danny Ildefonso, the current San Miguel center who started to make a name for himself playing for the Bulldogs. "Di namin inaasahan na matatambakan namin sila. Nagpursigi kami dahil nga sa pre-season lagi kaming tambak sa kanila (UP)," Ponferrada said. - GMANews.TV