FINDING THEIR BITE
National University (NU) has been having a very difficult campaign so far in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
None other than coach Jeff Napa, a former Bulldog himself, knows it as he fell emotional after NU notched a second victory with a 78-68 result against Ateneo on Saturday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
“My players know how frustrated I am with the losses,” Napa said in Filipino after the Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak. “But the approach we are taking is still based on the positives.
“We take away the negatives so our approach is still positive, despite the fact that we are struggling. At least the players are showing that we are still positive despite us being at the bottom.”
One of those cogs who fought until the end was Kenshin Padrones, who gave NU 18 points and six rebounds. Jake Figueroa shot 57.1 percent from the field to finish with 15 points that came with seven rebounds and four assists.
The Bulldogs showed potential after they forced Kevin Quiambao to save La Salle in their opening game, 78-75, where they lost foreign student athlete Mo Diassana, who got injured after playing just four minutes right in the opening frame.
“We know that Mo is a big loss for us. We just believed in each other and what adjustment that coach is making, we just followed it and stuck together and [we believe] that whatever is for us will come,” Padrones said.
Escape act
NU bounced back in its following game for a 62-60 escape act against Far Eastern University, but it was all downhill from there for the Bulldogs as they fell into a 1-5 hole.
But despite the rough season that they are having, the NU community still rallied to the Pasay City venue to show their support.
“It’s a morale boost,” Napa said with his voice cracking as he tried to hold back his tears. “As a true-blooded Nationalian, we’re proud that despite us struggling, they are still there believing in us.”
The pressure mixed with frustration is getting into Napa as he admits to entertaining doubts.
“We are struggling right now, I am asking myself, ‘What’s the problem? What’s the problem with me or in the team? Is it possible that I am the problem or whatsoever?’” Napa said.
“That’s why I am a bit emotional but, at least, my players really stepped up, they really showed what they can, especially this guy beside me (Padrones) who did not fold, did not give up despite being undersized because we are really filling in a big loss,” he added.
While the win came against an Ateneo squad that has struggled all season with just one win to show against six losses, there is still a glimmer of hope that the Bulldogs can salvage their bid. But they would have to leave everything on the floor in the second round.
“We are thankful to the community because somehow [they are giving us strength] coming to our second round, which we hope to have a better performance,” Napa said.
