Bulldogs start long, hard climb back to Final Four contention

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Shaun Ildefonso (No. 0) will be key for the Bulldogs.—UAAP MEDIA

With its back pressed hard against the wall, National University will try to rediscover the magic of its success early in Season 84 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament when the Bulldogs clash with reeling University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.

The losers of their last four games, the Bulldogs certainly can’t ask for a better foe in the 7 p.m. match with the Tigers not growling at all, having lost their last three games by an average of 30 points, counting a 50-point humiliation handed to them by defending champion Ateneo.

“I told the players that we still have a chance to make the Final Four, but we have to work for it,” coach Jeff Napa said.

At 4-7, National needs nothing less than a sweep to make the Final Four via the back door.

While the jockeying for the last three berths in the Final Four is reaching fever pitch, the Eagles are busy keeping their unblemished streak since 2018 alive. Ateneo has won its last 37 games, with the last coming against the Bulldogs, 89-75.

The Eagles will be shooting for win No. 12 this season when they battle Adamson in the 4:30 p.m. game.