Jeff Napa is not making any excuses as his short-handed National University fell to De La Salle University, 88-78, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs played without crafty guard Steve Nash Enriquez, energizer Jolo Manansala, and Reinhard Jumamoy.
The defeat dropped NU to a 7-2 record in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball standings. They still hold onto second place, but with the Green Archers just behind at 6-3.
“Hindi naman sila ganon kabigat. Nawala eh kaya nga meron akong 16 players. Pero ang mabigat, yung hindi kami mag-perform nang better, saka yung effort, yun ang mabigat. Kung wala kaming effort, ganito yung mangyayari sa amin,” said Napa.
Enriquez had surgery to fix his dislocated jaw, which he injured last Wednesday against the University of the East. Meanwhile, Manansala was sidelined due to a groin injury.
Jumamoy did not play due to “safety precautions.”
Napa lamented his team’s lack of effort in the game, a characteristic that plays a significant role in the Bulldogs’ identity.
NU was outrebounded by La Salle, 48-35, including a 20-11 disadvantage on the offensive boards.
The Green Archers also dished out 30 assists, while the Bulldogs managed only 16.
“Hindi rason yung mga nawala dito eh, ang question ko dito ay yung effort na binigay namin in today’s game. Yun yung wala eh,” said the third-year NU coach.
“Mabigat yung pagkawala ng lintik na effort, yun yung battlecry namin talaga. Yung effort na ‘yan kailangan mapunta sa amin para yung estilo ng basketball maging favorable for us.”
Napa expects Enriquez to be back in practice next week, donning a protective full-face mask.
NU will look to return to the win column when it faces Ateneo de Manila University next Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
