The NU Bulldogs have begun to establish themselves as one of the top contenders in UAAP Season 86. Their wire-to-wire victory over the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena should dispel any notion that their opening win over defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles was a fluke.
The Tamaraws ramped up the defense and kept themselves within striking distance in the final frame. To counter, the Bulldogs showed poise down the stretch. Even when their shots weren’t falling, their defense never relented.
With back-to-back wins, the Bulldogs are showing that they are for real.
Kean Baclaan who only scored four points during their opener bounced back to pace NU with 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
In the postgame interview, Baclaan revealed how hyped he is for the Bulldogs’ next game.
“Siyempre, good win para sa amin ‘to. And alam naman namin na ‘yung game namin sa Saturday is hindi madali. UP (Fighting Maroons) ‘yon so looking forward na kami sa Saturday. So, paghahandaan namin ‘yung UP talaga,” the feisty floor general said.
He sounded unfazed by the powerhouse lineup of UP, which convincingly won its first two games as well.
Other UAAP favorites such as the Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers definitely have another team to worry about in the Jeff Napa-mentored squad.
Catch UAAP Season 86 live on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, or the Pilipinas Live app.
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