In its ongoing quest to make the postseason of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament, National University saw another Bulldog step up when the going got tough.
Patrick Yu shot 13 of his 15 points in the second half along with six assists. And he led the Bulldogs in a come-from-behind 71-60 victory over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
“Sabi ni coach, this game, dun nakikita kung sino mas malaki ang heart,” said Patrick, brother of former Bulldog captain Dave.
“Nung nag-first half, we started flat. Kaya sabi ko nung nasa loob yung team na ‘wag na tignan yung score, enjoy lang tayo maglaro. Defense na lang.”
NU faced a 19-point deficit in the first half, only for the Bulldogs to unleash an 18-0 run. Capped by Yu’s basket at the 8:21 mark of the fourth period, coach Jeff Napa’s wards then turned it around with a 55-52 lead.
For a team that is looking to enter the Final Four for the first time since Season 78, wins like this can prove priceless in the end.
It also shows that the Bulldogs are heeding Napa’s orders that everyone should step up when they are on the floor.
“Ganun lang talaga yan eh. Sa akin kasi nung last season, once we came back (nung) start of practice last year, lahat naman yan may something to prove e,” said Napa.
“Si Pat, pinatunayan lang niya na deserving din siya sa kung anong binibigay na opportunity sa kanya. Ganun din yung mga players dito.”
“Tine-take ko lang yung chance na binibigay ni coach sa akin. From first (player) to 16th, kaya maglaro, kaya mag step up,” added Yu.
Currently, NU sits in second place in the standings with a 7-3 record behind back-to-back wins.
For the Bulldogs to complete their first goal – and go beyond it – they need to consistently produce day in and day out. It was Yu’s turn this time in the revolving door of breakout stars this season.
“Sabi ko naman sa inyo, itong team na to is 16-man strong. Anybody can step up. Ngayon si Pat ang nag-step up. Good thing kasi yung dalawang bulilit ko (Steve Nash Enriquez and Kean Baclaan), struggling,” said Napa.
Enriquez had zero points, while Baclaan produced seven points and seven turnovers.
“At least masasabi ko na kaya naming makipag-compete sa mga big boys ngayon. Meron akong mga piece na willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the team.”
NU looks to maintain its momentum against University of the East on November 17, 2022, following the FIBA break.
While there may be a long break, the Bulldogs are not gonna take their feet off the pedal.
“Di pa tapos yung trabaho namin. Tuloy-tuloy yung trabaho namin. Kung gaano kami ka-hungry ngayon, mas hungry dapat kami pagbalik,” said Yu.
