ONE would think ruling a prestigious pre-season tourney is enough for National University to feel giddy about its chances in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament kicking off on Oct. 1. Think again.
Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa downplayed his charges’ title win in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup and maintained their sights are firmly set on the coming UAAP cage wars.
“Ang sinabi ko nga sa kanila kaagad pagkatapos, there’s no need to celebrate. This is just an ordinary game for us,” Napa said.
“Ang target namin, almost one-month na lang. We entered this tournament, in preparation for UAAP talaga,” he added.
Napa spoke after NU scored a 56-46 victory over Far Eastern University two days ago in the final of the tilt.
The win completed the Bulldogs’ 11-0 sweep of the tournament supported by Filoil Logistics Company, EcoOil, Hanes, Gatorade, Smart Sports, Molten, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue/Calle Reyes, Brother’s Burger, and has Delta Sportswear as its official outfitter for their second crown overall and first since 2012.
Napa is also convinced their pre-season triumph will serve NU in good stead after it wound up with a 6-8 card for sixth in the last UAAP season.
“First things first, hindi ko masasabing contender kami, but this is a big bonus, a big boost for our confidence,” Napa said.
“Iyong learning process ng mga bata, iyon ang na-gain namin sa pre-season so at least sa UAAP, they’re more prepared na.”
Germy Mahinay notched a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs, while 6-foot-10 Senegalese big man Omar John added 12 markers and eight boards.