“It feels really great to be here because we went through a lot. Teams that win championships have a story, and we have a story,” said NU Bulldogs center Alfred Aroga.
Aroga led the Bulldogs with 24 points as they defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 75-59, to end a title drought spanning six decades.
He had help from teammates Gelo Alolino and graduating forward Glenn Khobuntin, who chipped in a combined 22 points.
With the championship, NU reversed its reputation as bottom-dwellers and as underdogs. The team clawed its way from the bottom, surviving five do-or-die games to win the title.
The squad’s roster will be depleted next season, but a story this compelling does not usually end abruptly.
To be continued.
(Video from Inquirer; Thumbnail photo from Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)