Bible passage inspired NU coach Altamirano in do-or-die game against Ateneo #UAAP77
By Yanzi Eco
September 2, 2014
National U head coach Eric Altamirano and his team made history after defeating the twice-to-beat Ateneo Blue Eagles in a rubber match that gave them their very first Finals appearance after 44 years.
The Bulldogs has never been to the finals since the Final Four era started in 1993 with their last claim going way back 1970.
Coach E, as what his boys call him, has a lot to be thankful for after their victory. He recalled reading the Bible earlier that day that inspired him throughout the game.
“I read the Bible this morning and I read about the story of Jericho,” he said.
After 3 straight years of competing in the Final Four, the Bulldogs has finally arrived. They are now going to the Finals and is 2 wins away for the championship.
“We finally broke the walls of our own Jericho,” Altamirano added, relating to the Bible passage. “Malapit na kami sa promise land. We’re going to prepare well and we’ll just do what we do,” he says.
Last year, NU was in the exact same position as Ateneo. They were #1 after the elimination rounds but got eliminated by #4 UST in the playoffs.
“What happened to us (last year), built our character,” Altamirano said. “We thank God for giving us the opportunity to redeem ourselves.”
The NU Bulldogs will now be facing the #2 seed FEU Tamaraws in a best-of-three championship series that will commence on Saturday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
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