Players-only meeting key to NU win vs Archers

NATIONAL University coach Eric Altamirano gave big credit to last week’s players-only meeting for the Bulldogs’ crucial win over De La Salle Green Archers at the close of first round hostilities in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs took it upon themselves to hold a players-only meeting last week after suffering their second straight loss last July 20 against Adamson.

The meeting lasted for more than two hours.

Altamirano lauded the players for the effort in ironing things out for the team.

“That’s what’s good about the team. (The meeting) was very positive. It wasn’t a finger-pointing thing. It’s more of trying to talk to each other and let everybody know that there is an accountability in the team.

“Walang ‘ikaw ang may kasalanan’,” added the coach.

The offshoot of the meeting was good practices for the Bulldogs as they prepared for a week for the match against the Archers.

“It was very positive. They were encouraging each other. The morale of the players was very high,” said Altamirano.

The meeting translated to victory as the Bulldogs snapped their losing skid with a 63-56 win over the Archers.

“We were coming off two straight losses but I see the team playing together. One in everything, defense and offense. I attribute that win doon sa teamwork,” said Altamirano.

NU will open its second-round campaign on August 14 against league-leading Far Eastern University at The Big Dome.

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