Just when National University looked like it could pull off an upset at the expense of University of the Philippines, the Fighting Maroon’s lineup proved to be too deep to be defeated in the endgame.
John Lloyd Clemente’s three-point shot with 6:31 left pulled the Bulldogs within 66-68, the Fighting Maroons went on a rampage with a 10-0 run to extend their separation to 78-68. That then essentially sealed their 84-76 win. It was a run led by the trio of Zavier Lucero, Ricci Rivero, and Carl Tamayo.
For NU mentor Jeff Napa, losing any game is a bitter pill to swallow, especially with the margin of error so thin in the second round of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
”Hindi yan sa bumitaw sa dulo eh,” said Napa. “Actually, we didn’t act together. If we act together, hindi ganun yung magiging storya eh. Kaya sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan kahit sino nakapasok sa loob, ready.
“That’s the story of the game – we didn’t act together. Nagka-iwanan sa dulo especially on defense. That’s why (UP) got a win. Yun yung in-address ko na coming to our next game, kailangan we act together.”
When Napa and his players returned to their dugout, the former Letran head coach emphasized that with one loss out of the way in the second round, they cannot afford more defeats. This, especially since they look to return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 78.
This is evidently part of the learning curve for the Bulldogs. Amidst his team’s inconsistency against the league’s top-tier teams this season, Napa is on the lookout for someone to lead them when things go south in a ballgame.
“Siyempre alam naman natin na mga bata tong mga to eh,” said Napa as his team has five rookies.
“They need a leader to step up. Yun yung medyo nagkaroon ng kulang dito, lapses, kase wala naman akong pake sa opensa nila.
“Kahit anong gawin nilang opensa nila, I’d still emphasize yung defense nila. We didn’t act together playing on defense. We catch up, pag nadikit namin, problema pagdating sa dulo, nagka-iwanan nanaman,” he continued as seniors John Lloyd Clemente and Shaun Ildefonso went cold down the stretch.
“Dun nagkakaroon ng miscommunication. Dun yung bumabagsak yung maturity. Talagang yan yung leadership role na dapat may mag step-up. Even though they are young, sinabi ko sa kanila all of them are capable to be a leader.
“Nasa loob man o nasa labas sila, they can be a role model to be a leader naman.”
Some leaders are born, while some are made. Ultimately, all of them rise to the occasion and lead their teams to victory.
Napa will be looking for one of his Bulldogs to do just that if they are to book a flight towards the post-season dance.
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