NU head coach Jeff Napa is happy to get back on the win column in front of a strong NU crowd at Mall of Asia Arena for UAAP Season 87.
National University head coach Jeff Napa heaved a sigh of relief Saturday as his Bulldogs finally snapped their four-game losing spell in UAAP Season 87, overcoming the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 78-68, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In front of thousands of NU supporters in the stands, Napa’s players were able to hold on for the victory against a fellow win-hungry Ateneo team as they pulled away late in the ballgame.
[RELATED: NU finally stops the bleeding, scores resounding win against Ateneo in UAAP Season 87]
After the Blue Eagles threatened to get back from a 14-point deficit when they got within five, 63-58, the Bulldogs surged with a 8-0 run to pull away for good.
Earlier in the game, NU led Ateneo, 43-29.
But having experienced squandering leads earlier on, it was a good change of pace for Napa to see his team hold on for the victory.
“Finally. At least na-break na namin yung four-game losing streak na heartbreak. So, hopefully, this win will give us confidence coming into our second round," Napa said.
"Para at least, kahit papano, still, syempre, alam niyo naman kung ano yung kulang namin so still adjusting,” he added, pertaining to the loss of their foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana who injured himself during his first game against La Salle.
Since then, NU has been playing All-Filipino. After winning their second game against the FEU Tamaraws, it was all losses until today.
Despite the record, Napa did not hold back on praising his team for the fight they’ve displayed since Day 1.
“Pero ako, give credit to the players parin kasi they try their best pa rin to compete eh. Whatever the result, yun nga, yung in-address ko sa kanila eh. We should compete, whatever the result. Yung result magiging outcome na lang yun. Kung whatever man, at least wala kaming regret sa gagawin namin,” Napa said.
As they enter the second half of the season, it isn’t like coach Jeff to let his team settle for where they are now.
Hoping to ride the momentum of this victory, Napa hopes to see more of the fight — and perhaps more wins — for his boys from Sampaloc.
“Coming into our second round, focus ulit kami, yun nga, makipag-compete and we’ll see kung anong mangyayari, kung ano magiging result. Kasi syempre, ayaw namin isipin na that guarantees us a W eh. Pero come into second round, we will come out strong, we will compete pa rin,” said Napa.
“Kahit anong mangyari para at least, kung maging in favor samin yung game, luckily, at least may chance pa kaming makahabol sa nandon sa itaas namin,” he added.
NU now ended round 1 with a 2-5 slate — good enough for 6th in the standings. They now enter a one-week break before resuming action next weekend.