Before the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the likes of defending champions University of the Philippines, finalists Ateneo de Manila University, and third-placers De La Salle University were the favorites for the tourney.
However – as of this writing, at least – it is National University that leads the elimination round with a 4-1 record. Its latest victory came against Adamson University in a 58-54 escape.
“Di mo naman pwede sabihin na solo first eh,” insisted Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.
“Kasi sa UAAP, isang iglap mo lang, baka ‘di mo masabi, nasa baba ka rin,”
“Hindi kami magsaya because we’re number one. Bale wala sa amin yun kasi we still need to win more games para safe to say na kung ano ang gusto namin ma-achieve this season. Hindi rin kami pwede makampante.”
For the past two games, the Bulldogs endured close calls against the Fighting Maroons and Soaring Falcons.
Napa’s wards had to dig deep if they wanted to seal the win.
The challenge to keep on winning does not get easier as the season grows. And they need to remain consistent to keep on outlasting their opponents.
“We’re not strong individually but we’re strong enough if we play as a group. Nandiyan yung talent eh. Yun nga, yung talent, ‘pag pinagsama-sama, malaking bagay yan eh,” said the 41-year-old mentor. “Ang maganda rito, yung players, dito sila mag-go-grow. Good thing now they’re learning now how to handle this pressure.
“Alam ng mga players ko na hindi ako satisfied. Kahit nanalo kami, hindi pa rin ako magiging satisfied until hindi nila na-po-prove sa sarili nila na kaya nila mag-live up sa kung ano yung tingin ng tao sa kanila.”
As a coach, Napa wants his players to contribute on both ends of the floor.
As an esteemed scorer back in the day – he once scored 43 points for NU behind 10-out-of-13 three-point shooting in 2002 – he wants his players to feel confident whenever they shoot the ball.
But they should never forget their responsibilities on defense.
“Ako rin naman makapal mukha ko nung naglalaro ako eh. Alangan naman pagbawalan ko mga player ko,” said the three-time UAAP juniors champion coach. “Ganun lang kasimple yun. Sabi ko naman sa kanila, walang problema, tumira kayo pero bumawi kayo. Dumipensa pa rin. Yun yung pinapa mindset ko sa kanila.
“Kahit sampung (beses) mag mintis sila, kung sampung three points na walang mintis, sampung mintis sila diyan, ok lang kase at the end of the day, sho-shoot pa rin yan eh. At the end of the day din, dedepensa pa rin sila.”
Indeed, the Bulldogs have gone so far after they succumbed to the pressure back in Season 84. However, the job’s not done yet. And Napa will make sure that the Bulldogs will get better after each game.
