National University faced early struggles that hampered its campaign throughout the 14-game UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Bulldogs’ season took an early turn for the worse when Malian center Mo Diassana suffered an injury in their season opener against the De La Salle Green Archers.
From there, NU finished the season with a disappointing 5-9 record – its worst since Season 84 in 2022 when they ended with a 6-8 slate.
This season was marred by five particular losses, each with a margin of three points or less.
Despite the overall disappointing performance – which left the Bulldogs out of the Final Four for the first time since 2022 – head coach Jeff Napa remained proud of his team’s resilience to close the season.
NU won three of its last four games, including victories over the Season 86 finalists La Salle and University of the Philippines.
As of now, they are the only team to defeat both the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons.
“Confident naman talaga ako ever since. Although nagkaroon ng adversities ngayon, still, happy pa rin ako sa ginawang performance nila kasi mahirap yung nangyari ‘eh kumbaga, pero ginawa nila yung part nila. Sinubukan nila i-raise yung bar despite yung adversities kumbaga,” Napa shared after their 63-54 triumph over the Green Archers.
“Meron kaming something to look forward for sa next year talaga. Itong season na ito yung gagamitin namin talaga para pagbutihin pa,” he continued.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With NU set to lose guards Patrick Yu and Donn Lim to graduation, Napa now focuses on finding the next true leader to join the core of Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
Beyond the trio of Figueroa, Manansala, and Enriquez, Napa is also looking to the emergence of PJ Palacielo, Tebol Garcia, and Reinhard Jumamoy.
“Hopefully, kahit na wala itong dalawa na engineer namin, meron pumalit na willing to step up to become a leader talaga. Kagaya nito ni PJ na meron pang two playing years, ngayon pinakita niya kung ano yung kakayahan talaga niya. Mas lalo niyang naintindihan yung value niya sa team,” said Napa, who also serves as assistant coach for Northport.
“We will expect na from him next year, kasama nila Jake, Jolo, tsaka si Nash. Yung core pa rin nandoon naman, buo pa.”
In addition to the continued growth of his key players, Napa plans to revamp the Bulldogs’ roster by bringing in more homegrown talent.
With Vince Reyes set to make his long-awaited debut next season, Napa aims to bring in the core frontline of the NU Bullpups, including Jedrick Solomon, Miguel Palanca, and reigning UAAP boys’ MVP Collins Akowe.
“Lalagyan lang namin ng mga bata doon sa baba gaya ni Solomon at ni Palanca. Talagang inaantay ko na lang matapos yung high school para makapaglaro sila sa Bulldogs,” Napa went on.
“Given na ‘yon si Collins, kumbaga, it’s up to us. Local pa rin yung hinahanap namin ‘eh na magsu-support sa mga nandito ngayon.”
