After advancing to the semifinals of Asiabasket NSAC 2026, PJ Palacielo of the NU Bulldogs admitted that the team is, in fact, in a rebuilding stage right now even as they showed a tough bite in this preseason tournament. No wonder he is happy with the team’s performance.
“Masaya siyempre kasi kahit na rebuilding nagsho-show up ‘yung mga rookies namin and mga sophomore.” Palacielo said in an exclusive interview with Rebanse.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs pulled off an upset win over the formerly undefeated UP Fighting Maroons, 67 to 64, to a seat in the Final Four alongside fellow UAAP squads UST Growling Tigers and La Salle Green Archers and reigning NCAA champs San Beda Red Lions.
Still Ferocious Despite the Rebuild
The third-year big man for the Bulldogs is now one of the team’s primary options following the graduation of star forward Jake Figueroa.
And with premier guards Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala also leaving and foreign student-athlete Omar John turning professional in Japan, the Bulldogs are certainly in need of new key players to step up.
‘Nakikita naman ng iba na lahat talaga nag ta-trabaho, hindi lang sa opensa pati na sa depensa kasi more on team effort talaga kami’ he said as he credited the team’s overall improvement this preseason.
In the triumph against UP, the Bulldogs had four players scoring double digits, highlighting Palacielo’s point. The bruising big man allied a team high 18 points, Reinhard Jumamoy and Paul Francisco had 14 apiece, and Tebol Garcia added 12.
“Pero ‘yun nga, may pagkakataon na mapupunta sa akin ‘yung bola. Ginagawa ko lang ‘yung role, ko pero most of the time more on team offense and team defense kami,” added Palacielo.
Despite not being a starter, Palacielo logged in 23 minutes and also had 2 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals.
An Underdog Against the San Beda Red Lions
Unlike the other three teams in the Final Four, the Bulldogs are not widely viewed as title favorites. However, Palacielo believes the team can keep pace with its opponents and remain competitive throughout the game.
“Sa amin naman feel ko kaya naming makipagsabayan, although rebuilding nga. Pagbubutihan lang namin sa practice and mag cocompete kami,” he further said.
Palacielo is expected to serve as NU’s primary option as the Bulldogs prepare for their semifinal showdown against the San Beda Red Lions.
