NU Bulldogs basketball

The NU Bulldogs are the collegiate men's basketball team of the National University (NU), which play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the premiere sports league in the country.

NU Bulldogs
University	National University
Founded	1920s
History	NU Bulldogs (1930s–present)
Head coach	Jeff Napa (4th season)
Location	Sampaloc, Manila
Nickname	Bulldogs
Colors	Blue and Gold
UAAP Champion (2)
1954 2014

History

In the early years of the UAAP, the NU Bulldogs were a competitive team in the league, winning a title in 1954. The Bulldogs were coached by Skip Guinto, who was approached by the Jhocsons, owners of NU, to coach their team. The Bulldogs relied on Antonio Villamor to defeat the FEU Tamaraws to win their first title.^[1]

The Bulldogs then produced players such as Narciso Bernardo and Jun Papa, but never came close to a repeat Finals appearance, until Reynaldo Sigua was acquired by NU. Sigua led the Bulldogs to a Finals appearance in 1970 against the UE Red Warriors. The Red Warriors prevailed, winning their sixth consecutive UAAP title.^[1]

By the 1980s, however, NU was perennially in the bottom ranking of the team standings. In the late 1990s, they improved their ranking by moving up to the middle of the team standings with now PBA stars Danny Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade in their team roster, but still failed to make it to the Final Four.^[2]

In the last quarter of year 2008, the family of Henry Sy of SM Prime Holdings acquired majority ownership of the National University. Aside from improving school facilities, the new management has included in their corporate plan the improvement of NU's sports programs. After ten years, the National U Bulldogs made it again to the UAAP Final Four in 2012.^[3]

UAAP Season 77

At the start of UAAP Season 77, the NU Bulldogs were predicted to lose some ground in the standings due to the losses of key players like former UAAP MVP Ray Parks and foreign student athlete Emmanuel Mbe, but was still expected to compete due to the emergence of players like Troy Rosario, Gelo Alolino and Glenn Khobuntin.^[4]

In the 2nd round of the tournament, the Bulldogs fell to the 4th spot in the standings. tied with the UE Red Warriors. They faced UE again in a knockout game for the 4th seed, which they won 51–49. They then defeated the 1st seed Ateneo Blue Eagles twice in the Final Four tournament (as Ateneo had a twice-to-beat advantage, due to their high seed), making them the 2nd number 4 seeded team in UAAP history to defeat a number 1 seeded team, as well as their first trip to the UAAP Finals since 1970.^[5]

In the UAAP Season 77 Finals, the Bulldogs faced the FEU Tamaraws in three games, where they finally clinched the championship after winning Game 3, 75–59. This marked the NU Bulldogs' first UAAP Men's basketball championship win in 60 years.^[6]

Roster

Main article: UAAP Season 86 basketball tournaments

NU Bulldogs roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School G 2 Baclaan, Kean 5'8" (1.73m) – De La Salle Zobel F 22 Parks, Bobby Mark 6'4" (1.93m) – Harding Academy C 18 John, Omar 6'10" (2.08m) – – C 5 Palacielo, RJ 6'6" (1.98m) – NUNS G 8 Casinillo, LA 6'0" (1.83m) – Ateneo de Cebu G 44 Jumamoy, Reinhard 5'11" (1.8m) – NUNS G 12 Yu, Patrick Wilson 6'3" (1.91m) – Ateneo de Cebu G 11 Galinato, John 5'11" (1.8m) – Chiang Kai-shek G 9 Lim, Donn 6'1" (1.85m) – Chiang Kai-shek F 23 Manansala, Jolo 6'4" (1.93m) – LSGH G 13 Enriquez, Steve Nash 5'9" (1.75m) – NUNS F 20 Figueroa, Jake 6'3" (1.91m) – Adamson F 77 Padrones, Kenshin 6'4" (1.93m) – NUNS C 3 Gulapa, Joemakio 6'3" (1.91m) – Adamson C 24 Delos Reyes, Drex 6'8" (2.03m) – Letran	Head coach Jeff Napa Assistant coach(es) Siot Tanquingcen Vic Yacasiano Danny Ildefonso Leo Pujante Jay Agleron Raul Lacson Dennis Llames Team manager Vince So Legend (C) Team captain Injured

Season-by-season records

Until 1997, the UAAP primarily ranked the teams by tournament points using FIBA's method. Starting in 1998, the UAAP primarily ranked by winning percentage. There's no difference in ranking once all games were played, but in the middle of the season, rankings made by these two methods may differ.

Until 1997

Season	League	Elimination round					Playoffs
		Pos	GP	W	L	Pts	GP	W	L	Results
1987	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	16	Did not qualify
1988	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	16	Did not qualify
1989	UAAP	8th/8	14	0	14	14	Did not qualify
1990	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	15	Did not qualify
1991	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	15	Did not qualify
1992	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	15	Did not qualify
1993	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	15	No playoffs held[a]
1994	UAAP	7th/7	12	0	12	12	Did not qualify
1995	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	16	Did not qualify
1996	UAAP	7th/8	14	4	10	18	Did not qualify
1997	UAAP	8th/8	14	3	11	17	Did not qualify

Since 1998

Season	League	Elimination round						Playoffs
		Pos	GP	W	L	PCT	GB	GP	W	L	Results
1998	UAAP	7th/8	14	5	9	.357	8	Did not qualify
1999	UAAP	7th/8	14	3	11	.214	8	Did not qualify
2000	UAAP	7th/8	14	4	10	.286	8	Did not qualify
2001	UAAP	4th/8	14	7	7	.500	5	2	1	1	Lost semifinals vs La Salle
2002	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	.143	11	Did not qualify
2003	UAAP	8th/8	14	3	11	.214	8	Did not qualify
2004	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	.071	10	Did not qualify
2005	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	.071	11	Did not qualify
2006	UAAP	7th/7	12	3	9	.250	7	Did not qualify
2007	UAAP	6th/8	14	6	8	.429	8	Did not qualify
2008	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	.143	11	Did not qualify
2009	UAAP	7th/8	14	3	11	.214	10	Did not qualify
2010	UAAP	5th/8	14	7	7	.500	5	Did not qualify
2011	UAAP	5th/8	14	6	8	.429	7	Did not qualify
2012	UAAP	3rd/8	14	9	5	.643	3	1	0	1	Lost semifinals vs UST
2013	UAAP	1st/8	14	10	4	.714	—	2	0	2	Lost semifinals vs UST
2014	UAAP	4th/8	14	9	5	.643	2	6	5	1	Won Finals vs FEU
2015	UAAP	4th/8	14	7	7	.500	4	1	0	1	Lost semifinals vs UST
2016	UAAP	5th/8	14	5	9	.357	8	Did not qualify
2017	UAAP	6th/8	14	5	9	.357	8	Did not qualify
2018	UAAP	7th/8	14	4	10	.286	8	Did not qualify
2019	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	.143	12	Did not qualify
2020[b]	UAAP	Season canceled
2021[c]	UAAP	6th/8	14	6	8	.429	7	Did not qualify
2022	UAAP	3rd/8	14	9	5	.643	2	1	0	1	Lost semifinals vs UP
2023	UAAP	3rd/8	14	10	4	.714	2	1	0	1	Lost semifinals vs La Salle
2024	UAAP	7th/8	14	5	9	.357	7	Did not qualify

1. UST won all elimination round games. Based on the rules at that time, they were then named automatic champions, and other teams were ranked by elimination round finish.
2. Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Season postponed to early 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Team awards

UAAP

Season	Tournament	Title	Ref
				1954	UAAP Season 17	Champions	[7]
2014	UAAP Season 77	Champions	[8]

Father Martin Cup

Season	Tournament	Title	Ref
				2010	Father Martin Cup Division 2	Champions (Men's Seniors)	[9]
2011	Father Martin Cup Summer	Champions	[10]
2013	Father Martin Cup Summer	Champions
2018–19	Father Martin Cup Open	Champions

FilOil Eco Oil Preseason Cup

Season	Tournament	Title	Ref
				2012	Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup	Champions
2013	Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup	Runners up
2022	Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup	Champions

Individual awards

Most Valuable Player (Season)

Season	Tournament	Player	Ref
				2011	UAAP Season 74	Bobby Ray Parks Jr.	[11]
2012	UAAP Season 75	Bobby Ray Parks Jr.	[12]

Most Valuable Player (Finals)

Season	Tournament	Player	Ref
				2014	UAAP Season 76	Alfred Aroga	[13]

Head coaches

• c. 1954: Skip Guinto^[1]
• 2001–02: Manny Dandan^[14]
• 2003–04: Rico Perez^[14]
• 2005–09: Manny Dandan^[14]
• 2010: Eric Gonzales^[15]
• 2011–16: Eric Altamirano^[16]
• 2017–19: Jamike Jarin^[17][18]
• 2020: Goldwin Monteverde^[19]
• 2021–present: Jeff Napa^[20]

Notable players

Gelo Alolino Matthew Aquino Froilan Baguion Narciso Bernardo Cris Bolado Reden Celda Robby Celiz Danny Ildefonso Glenn Khobuntin Marion Magat Jeff Napa Jun Papa Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Jewel Ponferada Troy Rike Troy Rosario Lordy Tugade Antonio Villamor Dennice Villamor

Legend   C   Center   PG   Point Guard   PF   Power Forward   SG   Shooting Guard   SF   Small Forward

See also

• NU Lady Bulldogs basketball

References

1. Quiteles, Rodneil (October 3, 2014). "NU's last taste of hoops glory". Rappler. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
2. Lozada, Mei-Lin (October 9, 2014). "Atoy Co and Danny I on transformation of NU Bulldogs: 'Nothing beats having a padrino'". SPIN.ph.
3. "Henry Sy buys 60% of National University". GMA News. August 18, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
4. Garcia, Pio (July 8, 2014). "Get Your Game On: A UAAP Season 77 Mini-Preview". Philippine STAR.
5. Bracher, Jane (October 1, 2014). "NU beats Ateneo for first Finals appearance since 1970". Rappler.
6. Bracher, Jane (October 15, 2014). "NU beats FEU, ends 60-year UAAP title drought". Rappler.
7. Reuben Terrado (October 24, 2014). "NU Bulldogs' 1954 UAAP championship trophy has long been gone. Find out what happened". SPIN.ph.
8. Reuben Terrado (October 15, 2014). "NU Bulldogs end six decades of futility by beating FEU Tamaraws for UAAP championship". SPIN.ph.
9. "Martin Cup victory big boost to NU program".
10. "NU Bulldogs Represent Philippines".
11. "mvps-of-uaap-74-parks-palmera-pingoy". Inquirer. October 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
12. "nus-parks-repeats-mvp-teng-top-rookie". ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
13. "alfred-aroga-finals-mvp-national-university-uaap-mens-championship-far-eastern-university-game-3". Spin. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
14. "NU relieves Dandan as Bulldogs mentor". ABS-CBN News. September 6, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
15. "Bullpups start barking in UAAP; Bulldogs also making noise". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
16. Terrado, Jonas (December 1, 2016). "NU Bulldogs coach Altamirano resigns". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
17. Bonilla, Ramon Rafael C. (January 5, 2017). "Jarin starts job as Bulldogs coach | BusinessMirror". Business Mirror. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
18. Lozada, Bong (October 30, 2019). "Jamike Jarin to take 'step back' from coaching after failed NU campaign". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
19. Olivares, Rick. "What head coach Goldwyn Monteverde brings to NU Bulldogs". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
20. "Jeff Napa returns home as NU Bulldogs head coach". RAPPLER. October 9, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2022.