Known for his tough demeanor on the court, National University head coach Jeff Napa showed a more vulnerable side on Saturday night.
After the Bulldogs’ emotional 78-68 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles – which ended their four-game losing streak – Napa, along with best player Kenshin Padrones, faced the media for the post-game press conference.
During the session, a campus journalist from NU asked Napa about his thoughts on the large Nationalian crowd that came out to support their team in their final game of the UAAP Season 87 first round.
An estimated 1,350 students from NU’s Mall of Asia campus flocked to the SM MOA Arena, cheering passionately for the Bulldogs despite the team’s recent struggles.
Napa, visibly moved by the question, took nearly a minute to compose himself as tears welled up.
The coach, deeply touched, acknowledged the unwavering support from the NU community, even during difficult times.
“Ano lang, kumbaga, siyempre yun nga boost sa morale saka siyempre kagaya niyo (NU campus media) still,” said Napa before breaking to tears.
“Siyempre kumbaga, as a true blooded Nationalian talaga, siyempre we’re proud na despite na medyo struggling kami, nandiyan pa rin sila na naniniwala.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Napa is an NU lifer who played his collegiate career with the Bulldogs. He built the NUNS Bullpups program from scratch, before taking the helm as Bulldogs head coach.
And tonight, he expressed how much the support meant to him and his team.
The much-needed win improved NU’s standing to 2-5, placing them solo sixth in the standings – just two games behind fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas, who stand at 4-3.
With the entire second round ahead, Napa is optimistic about the Bulldogs’ chances to turn their season around.
“Coming to second round, focus ulit kami makipag-compete and we’ll see kung anong magiging result kasi siyempre ayaw namin isipin na guaranteed W eh,” said Napa, who is in his fourth year coaching the Bulldogs.
“Coming to second round we will come out strong, we will compete pa rin kahit anong mangyari para at least kung maging favorable sa amin yung game – at least may chance pa kami makahabol sa mga nasa taas namin.”
WATCH: An emotional Jeff Napa sheds tears as NU MOA students flooded the arena to show unwavering support for the struggling Bulldogs 🐾
📹 @LorenzodelC /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/fS6nRIuDq2
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 5, 2024
