Shortly after the National University Bulldogs ended their 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup campaign, they quickly packed their bags.
Last Saturday, the Bulldogs, who finished with a 3-6 record in the Preseason Cup, arrived in Xiamen, China to join a pocket tournament organized by the XMBA.
The change in scenery might be the thing needed by the young Bulldogs to band together before their UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball tournament campaign begins.
“This tournament will definitely help us a lot in our campaign this coming season. Management, headed by bosses Hans Sy, Manny Sy, Sergio Yu, Fulton Su,and Homer So, has done a great job in making this possible,” shared second-year head coach Jamike Jarin.
The tournament features eight collegiate teams from the region and are split into two pools. NU is grouped with Singapore, Australia, and Xiamen University. The top two teams will advance to the knockout, crossover semifinals.
With Dave Ildefonso and JV Gallego leading the way, the Bulldogs defeated Singapore, 90-81, to open their campaign, Sunday evening.
“Playing against foreign teams will definitely improve our team chemistry and being together for a week will make us closer as a family,” added Jarin.
Rev Diputado, Chino Mosqueda, John Galinato, Dave Yu, Enzo Joson, John Lloyd Clemente, Shaun Ildefenso, Jonas Tibayan, Matt Aquino, and Issa Gaye complete the NU contingent.
