Napa warns Bulldogs of ‘changed-a-lot’ Archers
National University faces De La Salle in a clash of surging squads with major postseason stakes, headlining a high-stakes Sunday playdate in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs sit alone at the top with a 7-2 slate, a game ahead of the Green Archers and defending champion University of the Philippines, who share second place at 6-3. But La Salle is charging hard—winners of four straight and whose last defeat, coincidentally, was in the first round against NU, 82-78.
That game also saw the Archers lose forward Mason Amos to an MCL injury.
Coach Jeff Napa is urging his Bulldogs to come in sharp for the 2 p.m. rematch.
“We really need to refresh our minds because we know La Salle’s on a winning streak,” Napa said. “They’ve changed a lot from the first round. We have to be fully ready against them.”
NU last played a week ago, beating Ateneo, 66-50.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson, meanwhile, respects what he sees from NU—depth, discipline and a proven core.
“They’re No. 1 for a reason. They have a good combination of veterans. Omar John is really playing well,” said Robinson. “We just try to be the best version of ourselves. We try to get better each and every time.”
The Green Archers dismantled University of the East, 84-72, last Wednesday.
In the second game, Adamson looks to break a tie for fourth with University of Santo Tomas when it battles Far Eastern University. Both teams carry 5-4 records, but the Falcons gained momentum from a 97-96 overtime thriller against the Tigers, where Cedrick Manzano found ample scoring support from Monty Montebon and Matty Erolon.
Coach Nash Racela hopes that balance continues.
“Usually it’s just one guy scoring for us,” Racela said. “That’s why we struggle. But this time, I was surprised—we had four in double figures. Hopefully, that gives them confidence moving forward.”
FEU, sitting at 3-6, is running out of room for error. A loss here could all but end the Tamaraws’ Final Four bid after a lopsided 89-75 defeat to UP last week.
