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Majority of UAAP coaches pick Bulldogs to prevail in Game 3

UAAP coaches Bo Perasol (Ateneo), Derrick Pumaren (UE), Rey Madrid (UP), and Kenneth Duremdes (Adamson).

As far as four UAAP coaches are concerned, the National University Bulldogs will be the favorites in what promises to be an explosive winner-take-all match for the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball title this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The coaches–Ateneo’s Bo Perasol, Kenneth Duremdes of Adamson, University of the East’s Derrick Pumaren and Rey Madrid of University of the Philippines–believe the Bulldogs are armed with enough tools against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in their 4 p.m. encounter that is tipped to draw another capacity crowd.

Perasol, whose Blue Eagles suffered a stunning collapse against the Bulldogs despite enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage in their Final Four series, is convinced NU has enough momentum following its masterful 62-47 victory in Game 2 last week aside from its prized import in the mold of Cameroonian center Alfred Aroga.

“Nagawa nila ‘yung gusto nilang gawin nu’ng Game 2 kaya mas mataas ang kumpyansa ng NU ngayon,” he stressed in a phone interview on Monday.

Duremdes and Pumaren, who both endured trying campaigns in their first year at the helm, shared the same view.

“I’ll go with NU because the momentum has shifted following their dominant win in Game 2. Kahit nung Game 1, lamang na rin sila ng malaki. Humabol lang ang FEU. Pero nasa kanila (Bulldogs) ang confidence at momentum ngayon,” said the Falcons tactician.

“Right now, I think NU has the momentum because they won convincingly in Game2. They can use that as a springboard,” was the sentiment of the Red Warriors coach.

Madrid, meanwhile, made a “sentimental choice,” having played with current NU mentor Eric Altamirano and assistant coach Joey Guanio under the Fighting Maroons colors in the late 80s.

While Juno Sauler of dethroned champion La Salle was the only mentor who declined to make a prediction, University of Santo Tomas’ Bong Dela Cruz is placing his bet on the Tamaraws, convinced of how deadly they are with the presence of top guard Mike Tolomia and versatile wingman Mac Belo.

"Sa FEU kasi may Tolomia at Belo sila. Sa ganitong sitwasyon, kailangan mo talaga ng leader. Mahirap man talunin ang NU dahil sa teamwowrk nila, tingin ko FEU pa rin ang may bentahe,” he said.

Perasol, however, offered a different insight, stressing how much damage NU’s slotman Alfred Aroga can make if FEU’s American counterpart Anthony Hargrove fails to contain him in the lane.

“They have contrasting tempos. Kapag high-scoring game, pabor sa FEU. Kapag depensahan ang laro, sa NU naman. But ‘yung key match-up dyan ay ‘yung sa imports nila. Malaking bagay sa NU si Aroga lalo na sa depensa. Kapag na-impose niya ‘yung presence niya sa loob, malaking problema ‘yun para sa FEU. Kaya dapat si Hargove ma-establish niya rin ‘yung presence niya tulad nu’ng sa Game 1 (which FEU won 75-70 last Oct. 4),” he pointed out.

Although they have clearly dominated majority parts of the first two games, Duremdes warned the Bulldogs not to fall into any sense of complacency, aware how dangerous the Tamaraws are in pouncing on every given chance.

“NU needs to have the same intensity at the start like in the first two games. Because FEU can make you pay on every costly mistake and missed opportunity you will make,” he noted.

But one thing’s for sure, according to Pumaren and Dela Cruz, the sudden-death showdown will all boil down to “the heart, hunger and desire.”

“It’s really up to the players how will they execute against mounting pressure especially when the game is on the line,” noted Pumaren.

“Sa akin, evenly matched pa rin sila halos. Pero kung sino ‘yung may pinakamalaking puso, ‘yung mas may desire makuha ang 50-50 balls at may willingness dumepensa, siya ang mananalo,” added Dela Cruz.