In the coming season of the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National University won’t be considered a pushover in football anymore.
There are high hopes this year after the NU Bullpups won the crown in the Division 2 junior finals of the 15th Ang Liga Football Tournament in Binan, Laguna.
The NU Bulldogs also did well after they placed third in the Division 1 senior side.
Head coach Jose Ma. Aberasturi said this during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmers Plaza in Cubao.
“For the last six years, it has been a learning experience for us. What we have now are competitive teams, both in the senior and junior divisions,” said Aberasturi.
Aberasturi talked about the NU’s exploits with team managers Joseph Garcia, who is also the vice president for DDT Konstract Inc., and GlobalPort’s BJ Manalo.
The Bullpups won the junior title after stopping the San Beda Red Cubs, 5-0.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs asserted themselves in the battle for third place in the senior action, but took a 3-5 loss to San Beda via penalty shootout.
Aberasturi said it was their best finish in the last six years as they proved their worth in the 10-team tournament, an off-season affair for teams in the UAAP and the NCAA.
“As always, we are a team to watch out for. Now, we are a team that they really need to beat,” said Garcia.
The Bulldogs are hopeful that they can improve on their fifth-place finish during last year’s UAAP football tournament.
The Bullpups are hoping that they can barge into the finals in the junior side after making it to third place.