National University (NU) is keeping its focus sharp through a heavy dose of tough love as the Bulldogs chase another Final Four appearance and the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball championship.
Following a narrow 69-65 upset loss to Ateneo, NU bounced back with a 75-71 victory over the University of Santo Tomas last weekend. Head coach Jeff Napa used the brief break between games to instill a no-nonsense mindset and push his players to maintain their collective intensity.
“So, alam naman nila. Malabo sa personality kong magpahinga. Malabo sa personality kong maging mabait sa kanila dahil… siguro ‘yun ‘yung naging bread and butter namin papasok ng game,” said Napa. “Dahil alam naman namin ‘yung capabilities ng mga kalaban namin.”
Senior veterans PJ Palacielo and Kenshin Padrones, who have played under Napa throughout their collegiate careers, acknowledged the value of the coaching staff’s demanding approach.
“Bilang player, syempre, minsan darating din ‘yung time na nagre-relax ka, parang kuntento ka sa game mo. Pero thankful kami ni PJ na nandiyan si coach Jeff [and other coaches],” said Padrones. “Nandiyan sila lagi para i-remind kami na hindi lang ngayon hanggang dito. May next level pa kayo.”
“Minsan pag nilalabas ako ni coach… sumasama ‘yung loob ko. Pero at the end of the day, naiintindihan ko ‘yung gustong [gawin] ni coach, kasi alam niya ‘yung capability ko as a player kasi limang taon na kami magkasama eh,” Palacielo stressed. “At end of the day, ‘yun pa rin susundin ko eh.”
Against UST, Palacielo and Padrones led the Bulldogs offensively with 14 and 13 points, respectively, alongside dominant center Mo Diassana, who posted 16 points, 19 rebounds, and a block.
Napa noted that his rigorous style is designed to shape character and prepare players for professional competition rather than personal recognition.
“Kung ano man ‘yung maitulong namin sa kanila, basta mag-succeed sila bonus na samin ‘yun ‘di na para kami pasalamatan or whatsoever. Sila na ‘yung gumagawa na buhay, ‘yun yung susunod nilang kabanata eh, so hinahanda lang namin sila,” said Napa.
“Sana magtanda rin sila, marami silang matutunan, pero hindi pa tapos ang season, magaaway at magaaway pa rin kami lagi, ‘di na mawawalan ‘yan,” he added.
Having reached the Final Four in each of the past five seasons—falling in the semifinals three times—NU is eager to break through the barrier and capture its first title since Season 77 in 2014.
Currently holding the second spot in the standings with a 7-3 record, the Bulldogs look to keep their momentum going when they face reigning champion De La Salle for a rematch on Sunday, November 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.