For the first time in 12 years, National University has secured a coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament — and head coach Jeff Napa, once a bystander to heartbreak, is in prime position to rewrite history.
Back in Season 76, Napa could only watch as the Bulldogs’ hard-earned playoff incentive — powered by Mythical Five member Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Troy Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin, Jay Alejandro, Gelo Alolino, and Cameroonian center Alfred Aroga — slipped away in a stunning collapse to the Karim Abdul and Jeric Teng-led University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
At that time, the 44-year-old Nationalian was focusing on the Bullpups, who ultimately dominated the juniors’ tournament, completing a perfect 16-0 sweep.
Now, 12 years later — with NU once again holding an edge it once wasted — Napa is determined to make sure history does not repeat itself.
“Natutunan ko na rin nung time na ‘yon na nagkaroon ng twice-to-beat, tapos nabalewala yung lintik na twice-to-beat na ‘yon if I recall,” Napa shared after the Bulldogs’ twice-to-beat-clinching victory over the University of the East Red Warriors, Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“So there’s no assurance and there’s no guarantee kahit may twice-to-beat ka na makakaabot ka sa Finals or sa championship.
“Hindi naman namin iniisip kung ano na-aachieve namin ngayon ‘eh. Ang importante kasi namin ay yung performance pa rin namin at the highest level. Bonus kung ano yung na-achieve namin ngayon, pero kung hindi kami maglalaro at our level na gusto namin, balewala ‘yan,” he added.
To ensure NU does not squander this advantage, Napa stresses that the Bulldogs must resist complacency. It was a flaw that nearly cost them in their come-from-behind, second-round win against a winless University of the East squad.
The Red Warriors, still seeking their first win after 13 outings, built an early 42-31 halftime lead behind key contributions from Toper Lagat, Precious Momowei, Wello Lingolingo, and Jhon Jimenez.
But NU, eager to prove its championship mettle in a highly competitive eight-team field, relied on a strong second-half surge to secure its fifth consecutive win and further extend UE’s woes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Number one, for sure doon sa sinabi ko sa dugout sa kanila, for sure nagising na sila doon. Actually, hindi naman totally nagalit ako, malakas lang kanina yung boses ko,” said Napa, who also serves as a Terrafirma assistant coach in the PBA.
“Pero yung message na binigay ko sa kanila, yung strong message na binigay ko sa kanila na kumbaga yung admiration ninyo, yung pangarap ninyo, yung goal ninyo na gusto niyo ma-achieve… Pag kayo natalo sa ganito, kalimutan niyo na,” he added.
“Itong mga game na ito, hindi dapat tinatake lightly. Medyo doon kami nag-kulang [at] nagkamali.”
And once the Bulldogs learn from their past complacency and the heartbreak of Season 76, Napa is confident the basketball gods will reward the team’s hard work and sacrifices leading up to Season 88.
“Kung magawa ‘man namin talaga iyon, ibibigay talaga sa amin ng basketball gods kung ano yung para sa amin talaga.”
