This year, the Bulldogs look primed to become one of the top dogs, if not the top dog itself, when the basketball season starts rolling, starting with the opening of the 2011 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The excitement in the Bulldogs camp stems from several factors, including the acquisition of new coach Eric Altamirano and an exciting batch of rookies.

Altamirano, who coached the RP Youth squad for the last two years and a champion PBA coach as well, is just as excited as with the rest of the NU community.

“I am very positive with our team. I believe we have the materials to compete well and it’s now just about progressing. We are all looking forward to our run this year,” said Altamirano, who was named as head coach last November.

Altamirano will be coaching three former wards in the RP Youth squad in Bobby Ray Parks, who chose to stick it out with the Bulldogs over playing in the States for Georgia Tech, Kyle Neypes and sharp shooter Cedric Labingisa, who both came over from UST.

Parks and company are expected to be key reinforcements to what is already a solid starting line-up led by Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe, Mervin Baloran, Ajeet Singh and Glen Khobuntin, In other developments, Hanes will be this year's title sponsor for the Filoil Flying V tourney, which will be known as the 2001 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup.

The tournament is presented by Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme and Elastoseal with major sponsors Filoil, Flying V, Total Phils and Molten as official ball.