National U Bulldogs enlist PHL youth star

source: Jasmine W. Payo | inquirer.net

Vying to turn itself into a league contender, National University taps another Philippine youth team star to boost its UAAP men’sbasketball campaign.

Rodolfo “J-Jay” Alejandro III committed Sunday to suit up for the Bulldogs just months after starring for the national under-16 team and the Mapua Red Robins in the NCAA juniors division.

“He’s a very talented player and we’re glad to have him under our tutelage,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

The Bulldogs finished just a rung shy of the Final Four last season with versatile rookie Ray Parks leading the Bulldogs’ campaign.

Parks, also a former national campaigner, bagged last year’s Most Valuable Player plum after finishing in the top 10 of every statistical category.

And the Bulldogs hope to field a dynamic duo with Alejandro also coming off an impressive high school stint, where he averaged a league-best 25.4 points.

A six-foot shooting guard, Alejandro also scored a staggering 46 points in a single game aside from averaging 4.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Robins.

“I think NU’s basketball program will help me develop my skills more,” said Alejandro. “They’re a young team and I’m looking forward to contribute.”

Alejandro served as team captain of the youth team that secured a semifinal finish in the Fiba Asia U16 tournament in Vietnam last October.

The 16-year-old cager, who averaged 12.5 points in the tournament, also drilled 34 points in the team’s second-round game against Japan.

Behind the chief backing of tycoon and SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy, theBulldogs have been beefing up in the varsity front, including tennis and baseball.