After seven years out in the wilderness, the National University Bulldogs are back in the Final Four after sealing their ninth win – a 67-57 win over University of Santo Tomas – in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The last time NU made the postseason, coach Eric Altamirano manned the sidelines for the Bulldogs, who were looking to win back-to-back crowns in Season 78.
It was a different era back then. The likes of Alfred Aroga, Paolo Javelona, and JJ Alejandro represented the Sampaloc squad, which eventually folded to finalists UST, 55-64, in the postseason. It has truly been a long time coming for NU.
“Very important lalo sa akin,” said NU coach Jeff Napa. “Nung nagsimula ako mag-coach, nung pinwersa nila ako mag-coach, tinaga ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako magiging loser. Yun yung talagang approach ko ever since nung high school.
“Nag-abrupt end nung sa Letran then nag-continue sa CEU, nag-abrupt end sa CEU dahil nag-return home ako. At least dito, masaya ako dahil nagagawa ko yung gusto kong mangyari as a group kasi with the help of my coaches.
“With the help of my veteran coaches, then my 16-strong players, kaya nagiging maganda ang programa namin and also yung management namin. Hindi kami magiging successful kung hindi kami binibigyan ng magandang support. Hats off from top to bottom kaya namin nakuha ang ganitong sitwasyon,” he said.
Key to the Bulldogs’ win against the Growling Tigers was veteran wing player John Lloyd Clemente. He produced 19 points on 4-of-7 shooting, as well as five rebounds in 25:18 minutes of action.
It will be the first time the Pampanga native will compete in the Final Four at the seniors level as he was part of the drought ever since his rookie year back in Season 81.
“Hindi kami magiging complacent kasi pataas na yung level ng competition sa Final Four tsaka yung two remaining games namin,” said Clemente. “Masarap sa pakiramdam kasi nung high school pa lang… nasa finals kami ni coach Jeff. Parang bumabalik lang sa akin yung feeling na ganito pala sa Final Four.
“Kami naman sa game kami. Sa gawa kami nagpapakita. Di lang kami puro salita, sabi nga ni coach Jeff diba? Ginagawa lang namin yung trabaho namin.”
Just like any other top team, though, reaching the Final Four is simply the first goal. The ultimate dream is to win the championship.
Napa, Clemente, and the rest of the Bulldogs look to go further than where they are at the moment. It is all about going all the way to be the new kings of the UAAP hardcourt.
“Hindi pa rin kami tapos.
“Yung journey namin hindi pa rin matatapos dito. We have to not be contented. Kailangan maging mas solid kami kasi yun ang level na gusto kong ma-achieve nila,” said Napa.
