When National University failed to repeat its stunning first-round win over University of the Philippines last Sunday, head coach Jeff Napa declared that he needed his players to step out of his shadow and act on their own.
Especially during crunch time, the Bulldogs crumbled. They found themselves scoreless in the final 4:33 by the Fighting Maroons to succumb, 63-75.
Loud and banging was the response by his boys in blue and gold, though. They took down another “big fish” down in Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, 78-74, to go to 6-3 in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
“Happy ako kasi nag-live up sa challenge na naman itong mga batang ito. Yun nga yung sinabi ko diba kailangan nila mag-step out sa shadow ko eh,” said Napa, an NU legend himself.
“Kahit maitim ako, kailangan nila mawala yung kaitiman ko. Kailangan paputiin talaga nila ako eh,” kidded the veteran coach after a fierce battle with the Blue Eagles.
The Bulldogs remained calm and collected down the stretch. They held the Blue Eagles at bay with a combination of good offense and masterful defense.
Jolo Manansala came up huge with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 20 minutes on the court.
Mike Malonzo was a man of stops, swatting Dave Ildefonso’s shot late in the game while forcing BJ Andrade into a turnover. He finished with seven points, four rebounds, and two steals.
“In order to be a big-time player talaga they really have to step out of my shadow,” reiterated Napa. “Ever since naman kilala niyo na ako diba? Sila hindi niyo pa kilala so kailangan nilang magpakilala talaga.
“Yun naman lagi sinasabi ko sa kanila eh in order to become big time players, sila naman tatapos eh hindi naman ako eh.”
But of course, the second-year NU bench tactician still had to be involved when the going got tough.
The Bulldogs looked on their way to a dominant game after a huge second quarter that saw them take a 41-29 advantage at the half.
But Ateneo always had its third frame storm to enter the payoff period ahead by one, 57-56.
With the match close and NU learning lessons from its UP game, Napa had to guide his wards on how to finish nail-biters.
“Noong last crucial step, kailangan pa rin nila ng guidance. Nag-step in pa rin ako doon sa shadow nila para magkaroon sila ng guidance talaga.”
