PJ Palacielo urged National University to move forward after defeating Far Eastern University, 69-65, to claim the top spot in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament standings at the end of the first round.
The graduating big man wasted no time reminding his teammates that securing the top seed meant little at this stage. After all, seven more games remain in the elimination round, with teams set to face their opponents for a second time.
Palacielo’s reminder came with a painful history lesson. The Bulldogs finished atop the standings after the Season 88 elimination round only to be ousted by fourth-seeded De La Salle University in the Final Four last year.
“Siyempre, mag-start naman sa practice ’yon eh. Kung anong nilalatag ng coaches namin, kung ano yung intensity at competition na binibigay namin sa practice namin, doon manggagaling yung kung ano ang ipapakita namin sa court,” said the 6-foot-5 center from Tanay, Rizal after their win on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
“So sa second round, ganun pa rin naman eh. Kung anong nilalatag ng coaches sa amin, nila Coach Jeff (Napa), kung ano yung role na ipapagawa sa amin, focus lang kami doon. And then masaya kasi kahit papaano, nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon. Pero yun nga, di ka puwedeng mag-relax kasi. Next agad, move forward, tapos na ito.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
While fellow seniors Reinhard Jumamoy, Tebol Garcia, and Paul Francisco have been doing the heavy lifting for the Bulldogs, Palacielo also emphasized the importance of every member of the team in their pursuit of a deeper playoff run this season.
The younger players have also stepped up, with Mac Alfanta and Mo Diassana emerging as key contributors in NU’s 5-2 first-round campaign.
“Siyempre, yung responsibility, talagang sa aming seniors binibigay ni Coach Jeff ‘yun. Pero yun nga, di naman porke kami yung nagti-take charge, balewala na yung mga rookie namin, yung mga bench namin,” said Palacielo.
“Kaya lagi naming nire-remind sila, ayan sila Macmac, mga rookie, mga nasa bench — kailangan namin sila. Kumbaga, all 16 players, kailangan lahat tayo, ready tayo pag binunot kayo. Kasi di naman all the time maganda lalaruin namin, mga primary ginagamit ni Coach Jeff, mga nasa rotation,” he added.
“Nire-remind lang namin sila na kung gusto naming makapasok sa finals, maging contenders tayo, kailangan nating ipakita hindi lang sa sampung player, kundi sa 16 na player na naglalaro sa loob.”
