Now with solo lead, Bulldogs face tough task of sustaining form

Reinhard Jumamoy (with ball) says NU’s preseason to La Salle were a motivation for him and his fellow Bulldogs. —MARLO CUETO

Are the National University Bulldogs for real this time?

That’s the lingering question in UAAP Season 88, as NU once again finds itself off to a blazing start—just as it has in previous seasons. The Bulldogs took down La Salle, 82-78, on Sunday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, improving to 5-1 and raising expectations over a program that was mostly ignored in the offseason hype.

But the record also raised eyebrows. There is a huge question the Bulldogs will need to confront the rest of the way: Can they finally sustain it?

For the past few years, NU has had hot starts—only to collapse down the stretch. In Season 86, the Bulldogs opened with a 6-1 record but stumbled to finish at 10-4. A year earlier, they went 5-2 in the first round before closing with a 9-5 slate.

Now, with another impressive early run, NU is chasing a new ending.

“I think this is it,” said assistant coach Vic Ycasiano. “We’ll be more intense, and we’ll play better. These players are ripe already. We’ve been practicing harder than ever.”

The Bulldogs’ latest statement came at the expense of a La Salle team that had owned them in preseason. That history gave Reinhard Jumamoy all the motivation he needed.

“We couldn’t beat La Salle in the preseason,” said Jumamoy, who finished with eight points. “We learned from those losses—and we’re glad we got this win today.”

Jake Figueroa powered NU with 18 points and eight rebounds, while PJ Palacielo added 16 in a balanced attack.

For La Salle, the loss stung less than the sight of young forward Mason Amos being wheeled off the court after a knee injury. Amos collided with NU’s Gelo Santiago at the 7:02 mark of the fourth and didn’t return.

“Based on what he told us, he heard a pop,” said coach Topex Robinson. “It’s accidental—it can happen to anyone. We’re just hoping he’ll be okay.”

Amos had seven points and four boards before the injury. Mike Phillips stepped up with 15 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop La Salle from slipping to 2-3.