A heartbreaking loss to DLSU dashed the title aspirations of the NU Bulldogs. But if you ask Jeff Napa, his team actually overachieved in UAAP Season 88.
Even though they became just the third no. 1 seed in UAAP men’s basketball history to get knocked off by a no. 4 seed, the NU Bulldogs still have a lot to be proud about in Season 88.
The Bulldogs’ season came to an end last Saturday after they dropped a 73-78 decision to the DLSU Green Archers in their Final Four knockout game. On the surface, it was a disappointing result since NU was the top seed, had a twice-to-beat advantage and had beaten La Salle twice in the elimination round. It was certainly reasonable to expect that the Bulldogs would advance to their first finals appearance since winning it all as a fourth seed in Season 77.
For a while during the knockout game, it appeared as if the Bulldogs would out the Archers away and arrange a finals showdown with the defending champions from Diliman. They led 66-61 with around four minutes left, only to watch Jacob Cortez hit big shot after big shot.
NU was still in it even in the last minute of play but just couldn’t execute down the stretch. For Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa, that’s the way the ball bounces.
“Life goes on,” Napa told the media after the game. “Hat’s off sa La Salle. We gave our best.
Although, sarap talaga manalo, just give credit sa La Salle. We played our hearts out.
“Tapos, may mga crucial stretch, mga team possession, pinuntahan naman namin mga dapat puntahan. I’m still proud of my team. Whatever the decision they make on the court, I’m still proud of them. I gave them 100% confidence.”
Napa, though, believes his team actually overachieved this season. They didn’t even make the Final Four last season, and in the offseason lost two top junior players – Collins Akowe and Migs Palanca – to rival programs. And as Season 88 approached, there were hardly any so-called experts who listed the NU Bulldogs among their title favorites.
“Although we fell short, still, nobody was expecting us naman dito na mapunta kami sa ganitong sitwasyon,” Napa pointed out. “Especially coming from last year na wala kami sa Final Four.
“Then, we became number one. Blessing in disguise, we became number one. So, then we played in the Final Four twice. We were beaten twice. Masakit, pero siguro iyon ang kailangang pagdaanan namin. Siguro, may purpose pa rin talaga si God na subukan pa rin kami.”
Despite being eliminated, the Bulldogs still made plans to practice the day after their loss.
“Ganun kasi yung nabuo nilang samahan. Kaya kami napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon because of their camaraderie. Doon sa dugout, we were really thankful sa binigay ng mga senior players namin. They played their hearts out.
“Sabi ko lang, hindi ito yung katapusan. Simula nila papunta sa tunay na buhay, sa tunay na career nila. Ito lang yung challenge siguro na binigay sa kanila na kailangan pa nilang tagusin.“
This is actually the second time in UAAP men’s basketball history that an NU Bulldogs team finished no. 1 and failed to go past the Final Four. The first was in Season 76 when a team led by season MVP Ray-ray Parks fell to the UST Growling Tigers.
It prompted naysayers to invoke “the ghost of 2013” in explaining the collapse of this season’s Bulldogs. But for Napa, that comparison is flawed.
“Yung sinasabing ‘ghost of 2013’, hindi naman,” he said. “Iba naman yung story yung ginawa namin dito. Ang story nung 2013, talagang malakas yung team na yun. Ang story nung team na ito, wala naman nag-count in sa amin talaga dito. So ang story nung team na ito talagang i-prove nila na they belong pa rin. Kasi from last year wala kami so talagang i-prove nila na we belong, na talagang we deserve to be here in the Final Four.”
And for those naysayers, Napa has this to say.
“I’m still proud of my team,” he said. “Whatever it is, kahit ano pang sabihin ninyo, ‘banderang kapos’, wala akong pakialam doon. Lalo doon sa mga bashers na walang tiwala. I’m still proud of my team, dahil wala naman nag-count in dito sa amin. I think right from the start of the season nasa 5 and 6 ata ang ranking namin.”
Banner images by Kieran Punay/KLIQ, Inc.