A NU start for Bulldogs…
I’m currently ministering to the NU Bulldogs. And how time flies! It was just seemed like yesterday when we sarted our small group with the Bulldogs.
It was the 2001 season when the NU team, thn a collection of prinvincianos, was struggling to even win in the competition. However, the team made a surprise leap from just a 2-win team to a squad that made it to the Final Four for the first time ever in the school’s history!
Though lacking in talent, the team, encouraged by our small group meetings eight years later, aged to beat some of the elite teams of that season. The Bulldogs though, eventually fell to Ren-ren Ritualo and the La Salle Green Archers that season.
Eught years later, just before the start of UAAP Season 72, Chico Manabat, who used to be the starting point guard for NU in 2001, serves as one of the assistant coaches. He called me up and asked me to do a small talk to inspire the whole team on and off the court.
Here are the things I noticed in the team:
–New set of players: Most of them are rookies.
–New facility and gym.
–New Support group. They are well supported by the school officials plus Henry Sy and his team of SM Group of think-tanks.
With all these benefits, Coach Manny Dandan emphasized that they are in the rebuilding process after the family of mall magnate Henry Sy bought the majority shares of NU.
I read in the Inquirer Sports that Coach Dandan said that they will maximize their strength which is speed and quickness in pushing the ball from the other end of the court. And assistant coach Chico Manabat said ” malilit man kami pero malalaki naman ang puso namin.” He made that statement simply because the team’s lack of size compare to other teams.
Now they drew the first blood against the UP Maroons in their first game at the Big Dome.
They are improving each game, and soon, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they get back to the Final Four.
Related Story: Armed to the teeth by Richard Dy
Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/inboundpass/sets/72157621346093126/?page=2
