5 Exciting Things About the NU Bulldogs for UAAP Season 80

It’s a new era for the National University Men’s Basketball Team, and as the UAAP Season 80 unfolds, here are 5 things every Nationalian should be excited about their team.

1.         Coach Jamike in Gold and Blue and #40minutesofhell

One of the respected Coaches in the industry, Coach Jamike, is now leading the Bulldogs after the historic feat of Coach Eric Altamirano. At the start of the season, National-U stated to bring #40minutesofhell in the UAAP. A new system that makes us expect to see the Bulldogs running non-stop during the game.

2.         True-Blooded Assistant Coaches

Am I the only one who felt this? Totally thrilled to see true-blooded Bulldogs helping out Coach Jamike at the helm of National-U’s basketball campaign. Jeff Napa, Chico Manabat, and none other than, Danny “The Demolition Man” Ildefonso are back to guide the young bulldogs to greater things this season. Anyone noticed how hands on Danny I is to Issa Gaye and Matthew Aquino during the game against DLSU? Man, gotta raise the roof, the future is indeed bright!

3.         New Set of Leaders

With the exit of almost 90% of the members of the 2014 Champion Team, Rodolfo “Jjay” Alejandro III and Dave Wilson Yu are now tasked to lead the new breed of Bulldogs. Together with last year’s top gunner Matt Salem, the three are expected to provide leadership in the squad that comprises of mostly rookies and sophomores. And believe me they are up to the challenge, these guys are natural leaders.

4.         Young But Talented Squad

The game against DLSU last Saturday is indeed a testament of how young but talented this new Bulldogs squad is. If you watched the game, you know what I mean. The Bulldogs fearlessly faced the Green Archers into one of the highest scoring-game in the tournament for the past decade. Exchanging basket after basket. There were lapses for the Gold and Blue, but that only means, this team has no way to go but up! A work in progress like the in-your-face dunk of Issa Gaye (just have to mention that).

5.         Jordan Bartlett = So Much Potential

Jordan Bartlett is synonymous to so much potential. This young guard is not just a pretty face. He may be the shortest (correct me if Im wrong) guy in the line up, but boy, he got heart.  It was evident in his 23-game performance against a much experienced DLSU. His handles is something the Bulldogs can use anytime of the day. And the grit to attack a much taller defender, that is ‘Puso’ right in there.