NU Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa gets emotional during the post-game press conference after a much needed win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University coach Jeff Napa couldn’t help but shed tears after the Bulldogs ended a four-game skid in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.
Napa admitted he was frustrated over the team’s struggles and turned emotional after they finally got to somehow repay the support of the 1,350 fans from the NU Mall of Asia campus with a much-needed win over Ateneo.
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“As true blooded Nationalian talaga, we’re proud na despite na medyo struggling kami, nandiyan pa rin sila naniniwala,” said Jeff Napa, who led NU to back-to-back Final Four appearances the past two seasons including a bronze medal finish last year.
READ: UAAP: NU stops slide, adds to Ateneo’s woes
Jeff Napa was emotional for NU MOA’s support despite their recent challenges. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/OfVqezf7kH
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 5, 2024
“Alam ng mga players ko how are we frustrated talaga doon sa mga talo pero still positive pa rin. We take away the negatives para at least positive pa rin yung approach despite na we’re struggling. At least makita ng mga players namin na positive pa rin kahit andoon kami sa baba,” he added after the 78-68 win.
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NU leaned on bigs Kenshin Padrones, who had a breakout game of 18 points and six rebounds, and Jake Figueroa delivering 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists to end the first round in sixth place with a 2-5 record.
“Thankful kami sa NU community na kahit na medyo struggling kami, nandiyan parin sila para samin. Malaking boost yun para sa team para mas makalaro kami nang mas okay.” said Padrones, who is stepping up to fill in the void left by foreign student-athlete Mo Diassanna, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game.
Despite the dismal first round, Napa remained proud of his wards for still leaving everything on the floor even if they couldn’t convert most of their games into wins.
READ: UAAP: Padrones repays NU faith nearly exactly a year after face fracture
“Siyempre tatanungin ko rin sarili ko kung ano problema eh, kung ano problema sa akin o sa team o baka ako yung problema, whatsoever. At least yung mga players ko talagang they really stepped up,” said Napa. “Thankful kami sa community talaga Kahit papano coming to the second round maging maganda, mas better pa yung performance namin.”
The Bulldogs will be walking on a tightrope to keep their Final Four hopes alive but expect them to keep fighting in the second round.
“Lalaro muna kami at our best, at our level. Yung panalo makukuha namin yun kapag nandoon kami sa tamang way na gusto namin mangyari,” Napa said. “Yung four losses namin siguro may mga lapses din talaga kami as coaches, as players, siguro yun yung kailangan namin ayusin day in and day out.”
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