NATIONAL University scored a big follow-up to a stunning upset of University of the Philippines, this time at the expense of University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs’ 67-62 decision over the Growling Tigers in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament should prove their 67-47 rout of the Fighting Maroons last Sunday was no fluke and silence their naysayers and unbelievers.
“No. 1, doon sa mga hindi naniniwala na tinalo naming iyong UP, ito iyong kasunod. Hindi tsamba iyong tinalo namin ang UP, okay? Hindi malas ang UP,” NU coach Jeff Napa said. “Naglaro kami nang tama. Ganoon ka-simple. Ngayon, tinalo namin UST, naglaro uli kami nang tama.
“Ganoon lang ka-simple. Thankful ako sa mga players ko. Ganoon ka-simple. Thank you,” he added.
Jolo Manansala uncorked 18 points on four three-pointers and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs while PJ Palacielo finished with 15 markers and six boards.
Jake Figueroa, despite missing his first seven shots, still ended up with 13 and 11 as NU improved to 4-8 in a tie with Far Eastern University for sixth with two games remaining in their respective schedules.
More importantly, the Sampaloc-based cagers stayed in the hunt for a Final Four slot.
“Ganoon pa rin iyong game plan namin at mindset ko sa kanila. Just go out and compete. Whatever the result. At least walang pagsisisihan. Gaya noong ginawa namin sa UP na hindi namin na-tsambahan talaga. Trinabaho ng mga bata iyon. Kaya doon sa mga nagcre-credit na malas iyong UP, ito iyong kapalit sa inyo. ‘W’ ‘di ba? Panalo,” Napa said. “Mamatay na kayo sa inggit. Ganoon lang ka-simple.
“Kasi masyado ninyong dina-down ang NU. Naglalaro rin kami. Kasali rin kami sa UAAP, hindi porke’t nandoon kami sa baba ay talunan kami.”
While not using the season-ending ACL injury of Malian center Mo Diassana as an excuse for their struggles, Napa maintained their bid took a big hit.
“May rason kung bakit kami natatalo. Nawalan kami ng import. Sino bang hindi mahihirapan nang walang import dito sa UAAP? Okay lang kung nandoon kami sa NCAA, baka kami pa iyong nandoon sa taas. Ganoon lang ka-simple iyon. Pero dito sa UAAP, iba ang level. Iba iyong level ng competition dito. Napakataas,” he said.
“So iyong expectation talaga, siyempre iyong demand at expectations ko sa mga players ko, high standard talaga and that is to compete against doon sa mga nasa taas.
“Kaya for your information, hindi tsamba iyong ginawa namin. Naka-dalawang sunod kami. Nakakainis lang. Kasi iyong effort ng mga players, nababalewala. Nakikita ninyo naman iyong mga ginagawa ng players. Ganoon lang ka-simple. Kahit huwag na ako.”
