Jeff Napa is pleased that he no longer has to face his friends from the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Under Napa’s guidance, the National University Bulldogs defeated the Growling Tigers 87-69 on October 11 and 76-65 last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to complete a season sweep.
Despite being close friends with the likes of UST coach Pido Jarencio, consultant Bonnie Tan, team managers Waiyip Chong and Eric Ang, and assistant coach Jaren Jarencio, the three-time UAAP high school champion coach made sure that NU went all out to secure the two victories.
It was the least everyone could expect, given their competitiveness in basketball.
“Pagdating naman sa labas niyan, ganun pa rin treatment namin eh. Siyempre, UAAP is talagang competition pero outside, pagdating sa PBA, kami rin ang magkasama,” said Napa, who is an assistant coach of Tan in Northport.
“Kahapon nagbibiruan na siyempre ‘Wag mo kaming ibabaon’ pero, yun nga, alam naman nila kung paano ko i-approach yung game eh. Alam nila ever since na kahit kaibigan or whatsoever, kung ano yung approach ko sa game galing sa simula, ganun pa rin talaga.”
Much was expected from UST this season as Jarencio and his companions sought to bring their success from other collegiate leagues.
However, things did not go as planned. The Growling Tigers are now 1-11 in the standings, failing to qualify for the Final Four for the third straight year.
In contrast, Napa’s Bulldogs are on the rise and are on course for a playoff advantage in the semifinals.
“Blessed ako kasi sila nagsasabi na last man standing at ikaw na lang yung naiwan sa amin. Kahit papano, pwede na sila mag-cheer sa akin kasi, yun nga, meron akong hinahabol na goal. Ever since, nakasuporta naman talaga sila. Sila rin nagbigay ng opportunity sa akin,” said Napa, who, despite being replaced by Tan at Letran after NCAA Season 94, remained close with the group dubbed as the ‘Super Friends.’
“Good thing napapalibutan ako ng mga magagaling at very supportive na mga kaibigan talaga para ma-approach ko nang maganda yung team ko at the same time, maging maganda yung season namin talaga.”
Now, Napa is the flagbearer of the group, trying to guide the Bulldogs in winning their first crown since Season 77.
While they may have different school colors, Jarencio and Co. will now shift their support to Napa and NU.
NU and UST may be title rivals one day, but it was not meant to be this season. It is Napa who will try to continue the group’s winning ways in the UAAP this year.
“Wala namang pinagbago. Ganun pa din yung treatment nila, treatment pa rin sa akin. Ganun pa din yung pagiging super friends namin. Hindi nawawala yun kahit sabihin mo magkalaban kami. Yun nga yung approach namin talaga. Talagang magkakaibigan pa rin. Nagtutulungan pa rin. Nagkukwentuhan kasi maliit lang yung mundo ng basketball,” he said.
“Kaya nga sabi nila, ikaw ang last man standing at ikaw na lang naiiwan diyan. Talagang pinaparamdam nila na sumusuporta pa rin sila sa akin. Chini-cheer nila ako na all the way mo at tuloy-tuloy na lang yan,” the NU lifer added.
“Masaya ako kasi nga natapos na kami. Tapos ko ng kalaban sila so makakapag-cheer na sila. Ako naman yung chi-cheer naman nila. Masaya ako dahil sa mga paligid ko talaga na very supportive for us.”
