FEU’s Jorick Bautista (left) and NU’s Steve Nash Enriquez (right). Photo handout.MANILA — National University is just one win away from capping off a late playoff push in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup.
The Bulldogs can catch the last bus to the crossover quarterfinals when they play Far Eastern University on Sunday at in San Juan City.
Starting the premier preseason league at 0-2, NU has won two of its last three games and credit that to the improved defensive intensity buoyed by the likes of Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala
"Kahit papaano, kahit konti, maganda na yung nagiging takbo ng team namin at unti-unti, nababalik na namin yung gusto naming makita sa team," said coach Jeff Napa after his team's 61-46 victory over Adamson last Friday.
And the Bulldogs may be peaking at the right time -- a dangerous prospect for the Tamaraws which have lost two of their last three games after their own 2-0 opener.
Coach Sean Chambers is hopeful that his team can shake off the stigma from their debilitating 90-66 blowout loss to La Salle last Friday while banking on Jorick Bautista and Mo Konateh to fare better this time out.
Game time is at 12:00 p.m. in the penultimate gameday of the eliminations of the preseason tilt.
College of Saint Benilde (6-1) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (6-2) face off at 10:00 a.m. with the winner locking up a top two spot in the NCAA Bracket.
The Blazers are coming off a statement 102-64 rout of San Beda University last Wednesday with Tony Ynot and Ian Torres leading the charge.
But the Generals want redemption especially after falling to the Red Lions, 70-66, last Friday as they seek to prove that they are indeed for real this upcoming NCAA Season 101.
Undefeated De La Salle University (4-0) is also gunning to lock up a top two spot in the UAAP Bracket when it takes on winless University of the East (0-5) at 4:00 p.m., while also-ran teams San Beda (3-4) and Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-6) cross paths at 2:00 p.m. to cap off the quadruple-header.