The Bulldogs with an early statement.
The NU Bulldogs put the league on notice after making a solid case for contender status with a lopsided 77-64 victory against defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 77-64, in the opening day of the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament.
Three Bulldogs scored in double digits led by Steve Nash Enriquez with 10 points and 2 assists in 40% shooting from the floor. The win against coach Tab Baldwin's squad is early proof that NU is among the team to beat this season.
But Enriquez is not one to celebrate. He warned his teammates not to get hung up in the win.
"Masaya pero ni-remind ko 'yung boys na dapat hindi kami ma-overwhelm," Enriquez said in the post-game interview.
"Masaya kami sa panalo pero marami pa kaming tatrabahuin. Thirteen games more, or maybe 15, 16 games. Back to the drawing board, ensayo ulit, walang magse-celebrate."
That mindset will prove to be beneficial for the Bulldogs. In fact, Enriquez shared how they took the preparations against Ateneo seriously.
"Sa totoo lang, three weeks kami naghanda sa Ateneo kasi alam namin kung gaano kalakas 'tong team na 'to."
NU will try to make it two in a row on Wednesday against the FEU Tamaraws.