For the first time in the ongoing UAAP Season 84 tournament, Ateneo de Manila University faced late-game adversity on Tuesday evening.
Nope, it was not against University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, or Far Eastern University. It came when the Blue Eagles faced the scrappy National University Bulldogs.
With two minutes and 20 seconds left in the game, the defending, three-time champions were clinging to a 67-64 lead.
Well, as what Ateneo has done for the past five years, Tab Baldwin’s squad remained composed. And maybe a little luck also sided with the Blue Eagles, according to first-year Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.
“Napakaswerte nila. Kasi lahat ng shotclock down nila, nashoo-shoot nila e,” quipped the fun-loving yet uber competitive Napa. “Give credit sa pagiging composed ng team ng Ateneo pero suwerte na pumasok yung mga tira na yun.
“What more kung hindi pumasok yun? E ‘di ibang usapan din yun.”
Off a timeout, Dave Ildefonso was able to score on a drive to turn the game into a two-possession ballgame. What came afterward was something the Bulldogs would regret.
After a sorry miss by RJ Minerva, the Blue Eagles could not get open in the next possession. With the clock winding down, Gian Mamuyac put up a tough split-legged triple — a desperation attempt from the top of the key.
The shot went in that sucked the momentum out of the young Bulldogs.
Eventually, Ateneo was able to notch its 31st straight win by way of a 74-64 decision.
Still, praise rained on the Bulldogs for the stand they gave.
Napa though is taking those kind words in stride as it is still a defeat on their ledger — a loss that dropped them to a 2-3 slate.
“Pero a loss is a loss and we have to move forward against UST. Wala naman kaming pakialam na dumikit kami rito kasi talo pa rin kami,” lamented the NU great.
“Ang mare-remember lang ng tao is tinalo kami ng Ateneo.”
Still, the Bulldogs were able to send a statement in the loss.
Now, no one will look at NU as an easy win. A new era has definitely dawned in Jhocson Street.
Napa though is not looking far ahead as the Bulldogs are currently tied with the Tamaraws and the UST Growling Tigers at fourth with identical 2-3 slates.
Though making the Final Four is a possibility, the multi-time UAAP High School Boys’ Basketball champion is not thinking about it.
“Kami, hindi namin tinitignan yung term na Final Four. Every game we have to compete kasi ang usapan dito kailangan mo manalo. Bago mo tignan yung bigger picture which is the Final Four, you have to win more games,” Napa explained. “Siguro, pagdating ng second round, tignan natin kung san kami tutungo at dun kami titingin kung aabot kami sa Final Four. Ayoko rin pressurin yung mga bata na mag-Final Four kami. Ang mindset kasi ng players ko is they have to compete day in and day out para wala kaming regret after the game.
“Yun yung mindset na dinedevelop namin para maging winners. Pag naayos namin yung sarili namin, wala kaming pakialam kung sino kalaban namin. We just have to perform up to our best.”
As a parting shot, Napa said that one day, he is hoping that NU becomes the standard in collegiate basketball — just like, Ateneo.
“Although ngayon, swerte lang talaga yung Ateneo. Ganun ka-talented sila pero makakatikim din sila ng talo some day.”
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