After 19 years, Jeff Napa has received his birthright.
National University announced that the proud Nationalian will be the Bulldogs’ head coach, Friday evening.
“I am deeply honored to come home and be tasked to handle my alma mater,” declared Napa, who is in the PBA Bubble.
This has been a long time coming for the 40-year-old tactician.
After graduating from NU back in 2002, Napa played three years for various PBL clubs. He then decided to enter coaching.
He started his career as an assistant coach to the Bulldogs, before his promotion to Bullpups head coach back in 2011.
Napa steered NSNU to three UAAP Juniors Basketball championships before moving to Letran in 2016.
There, he amassed a 32-25 record, leading the school to the Final Four in NCAA Season 94.
Though he would be replaced by Bonnie Tan in 2019, he still remained with the Colegio as an active consultant. He was also tapped as an assistant coach by PBA team Northport.
During his stay in Letran, Napa remained as program director for NU basketball.
However, things turned sour late 2019 when Napa was relieved of his duty as NU suffered a disastrous three years under Jamike Jarin.
Wanting a new program, NU promoted Goldwin Monterverde as head coach last November. Napa, on the other hand, found a home in Centro Escolar University last January.
Monteverde only lasted for nine months as head coach before resigning from his post.
Needing a trusted soldier who could help rebuild NU brick-by-brick, team manager Manny Sy got in contact with Napa to offer him the job.
Napa accepted the job last Monday. But before that, he notified CEU management that he was about to return home and referred his good amigo Chico Manabat as a very suitable replacement.
NU last made the Final Four back in Season 78.
