NU Bulldogs shift goal to finishing strong, start with win against UP
In one of the biggest surprises of UAAP Season 87, the NU Bulldogs upset the UP Fighting Maroons, 67-47.
NU Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa emphasized how the players contributed to gaining the much-needed win during the post-game press conference:
“Buti nabuhay lahat ng players ko. They delivered kung ano ‘yong kailangan naming gawin,” he said. “Give credits to the boys, sa mga players ko. Sila naman ‘yong nagtrabaho, ‘di naman ako eh.”
Coach Jeff shared that their mindset coming into the game was to enjoy and put the game plan to work. The ‘Final Four’ contention may still be possible, but it’s not in their minds anymore.
Instead, he wanted to lessen the pressure on the players and remind them to just finish strong despite being undermanned.
“Sinabi ko naman sakanila na let’s finish strong [for] this season. ‘Yon ang mindset namin. Basta ginawa namin ‘yung tama, nakuha naming ‘yung W.”
He added:
“Hindi na namin iniisip kung papasok kami o hindi eh. Pakiusap ko lang sakanila is tapusin namin nang maganda ‘yung season.”
Veteran players Jake Figueroa and Patrick Yu shared their sentiments as well on what their mindsets were during the game.
“Sinabi nga ni coach sa amin na enjoy na lang. Tanggalin na ‘yung pressure kung papasok ba sa Final Four,” Yu shared.
“Sabi nga ni coach sa’min na mag-enjoy lang kami,” said Figueroa.
The contention for the Final Four may seem like a blurry possibility for the Bulldogs. Nonetheless, their goal now is to finish the season strong to give back to the NU community.
“Every game, we will go out competitive. Para at least sa community, maipakita naming na maganda pa rin nilalaro namin despite everything.”
While there are a lot of what-ifs that go through their minds, Coach Jeff doesn’t want to make excuses for their shortcomings.
Figueroa and Yu both agreed that they should have been quick in adjusting to their team’s handicap. The NU Bulldogs lost their FSA, Mo Diassana, so early in the season.
Coach Jeff wanted to recognize the players’ capabilities, instead of making excuses as to what could have been if they hadn’t lost Diassana on the roster.
