Jeff Napa refused to take full credit for National University’s rise under his stewardship.
Under Napa’s watch, the Bulldogs have already punched their ticket to the Final Four for the second straight season.
As things stand, NU is in second place in the standings. It is now targeting a playoff advantage in its final assignments against University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, and University of the Philippines.
“Di naman ako lifesaver ng NU,” said Napa, who took over from Jamike Jarin.
“Isa lang ako incredient kumbaga. Isa ako sa piece ng NU kasi siyempre hindi ko naman magagawa yan kung hindi dahil sa coaches ko. Di ko pwede sabihing (mga) assistant yun.”
Ever since he took over the Bulldogs program back in Season 84, Napa has brought in prominent coaches to serve as his deputies.
He currently has consultant Glenn Capacio, Siot Tanquingcen, Vic Yacasiano, Leo Pujante, Britt Reroma, MC Abolucion, Jay Agleron, Kevin De Castro, Cedrick Labing-isa, and Shari Moreno to guide him in his decisions.
All of them have earned prominence in the Philippine basketball community. Their collective experience spans decades across the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
“Mga OG’s na yan eh. Sila yung mas maraming nakakaalam sa akin. Talagang tinutulungan ako. Thankful ako sa mga coaches ko talaga na willing to step up kahit medyo may saltik yung utak ko,” said Napa.
“Talagang medyo may pasensya rin sila sa akin. Blessed ako kasi napapalibutan ako ng mga magagaling na coaches na hindi lang dahil sa akin. Hindi lang ako yun,” the NU lifer continued.
“Ilan ba talaga kami? Thirty-man kami na talagang na nakikipag baligtasan talaga. Siguro naging blessing in disguise din na nawalan ng coach dito pagkabalik ko. Yun nga, naghanap ako ng tamang mindset, tamang coaches.”
Napa is confident in his job because he feels fully supported by not only his coaches, but also the different stakeholders he answers to. Basketball can be fickle in this country. One bad result or season can force the firing of coaches.
However, things are different for the three-time UAAP boys’ basketball champion as he received the full backing from his superiors.
Despite missing out on the Final Four in Season 84, he was given time in Season 85 to prove himself. And he paid his dues with a deep run in the tournament.
He wants to repay his assistants, managers, and school directors by guiding the Bulldogs to something more than just a Final Four ticket.
“Actually, nandun naman dati sa taas yung NU. Kumbaga nawala lang. Medyo nag-relax. Nakalimutan. So ngayon, binabalik namin talaga. At least kahit papano, napakita namin ngayon na we’re on the right track,” he said.
“Hopefully, maging consistent. Siyempre with the support of management. Hindi naman namin magagawa to kung hindi kami binibigyan ng full support talaga from Sir Hans (Sy), Sir Manny (Sy), our managers, our president, lahat ng school officials sa NU na talagang nasa likod namin,” he continued.
“Kahit magwala ako sa court, pipikit na lang yung mga yun eh kasi alam naman nila kung sino ako talaga. Thankful ako na, yun nga, binigyan ako ng tamang desisyon na i-lead itong team na to at binigyan nila ako ng 100-percent support na kahit anong gawin ko sa team na to, ikaw bahala basta ang usapan dito makapag-compete kami.”
