National University finds itself in a pressure cooker once again.
The Bulldogs, who held a twice-to-beat advantage thanks to being the top seed, now face a do-or-die showdown against the De La Salle University Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four.
It’s a déjà vu moment for NU and head coach Jeff Napa, who vividly remembers a similar heartbreak.
Twelve years ago, in UAAP Season 76, the Bulldogs’ twice-to-beat cushion slipped through their fingers, costing them a trip to the Finals.
With history threatening to repeat itself, Napa is urging his team to keep their emotions in check ahead of Saturday’s rubber match at the Big Dome, where La Salle is gunning for its third straight Finals appearance.
The tension showed during the first game. NU was called for two technical fouls — including one on Napa himself — and the Bulldogs committed 15 turnovers, eight of them from Jake Figueroa, leading directly to 13 La Salle points.
These lapses underscored the emotional and mental edge La Salle held in the tight 40-minute affair.
“Hindi sa kalawang ‘eh — we have to control our emotions. Doon nagkulang yung mga players. Hopefully, natuto sila sa game na ito ngayon,” Napa told reporters.
“Playoff basketball is different kasi compared to the eliminations. We’ll look at the videos tomorrow, and we’ll come up kung ano kailangan namin gawin. May challenge lang na kailangan namin tapusin [sa Saturday]. May game pa naman kami on Sabado, so we’ll try to correct our mistakes and hopefully, mag-turn things around talaga.”
Beyond managing emotions, Napa is calling on the rest of the Bulldogs — beyond presumptive Elite Team member Jake Figueroa and John — to step up against a Green Archers squad now at full strength.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Figueroa delivered 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while John added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with five rebounds, one steal, and one block. But the other three starters — Enriquez, Paul Francisco, and Munmun Dela Cruz — combined for just 14 points.
“Jake is Jake ‘eh.
“Hindi lang naman kami doon nagre-rely. Ang importante kasi sa amin, we’ll play as a group and as a team. May mga bagay na kailangan namin ayusin, especially doon sa mga ibang players. Hopefully, ma-address namin tomorrow para we’ll come prepared on Saturday,” Napa, who also serves as a Terrafirma Dyip assistant coach in the PBA, said.
Fully aware that La Salle carries a psychological edge heading into the do-or-die clash, Napa wants his Bulldogs to rise above adversity and prove they have what it takes to bring the crown back to Jhocson Hall for the first time since Season 77 in 2014.
“Given naman na ‘yon ‘eh. Kailangan lang namin kung paano namin iha-handle yung ganitong situation at challenge,” he said.
“Still positive pa rin, may challenge ‘eh, given na ‘yan. Kung paano kami mag-a-approach from tomorrow coming into Saturday.”
#WATCH: WE HAVE TO CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS 🐶
NU head coach Jeff Napa urges the Bulldogs to control their emotions as they fight for their season on Saturday 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/jBKhaFUCLZ
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/UMuUL0HhRb
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 3, 2025
