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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Jeff Napa delighted as Bulldogs show promise after 'awful season'

Jeff Napa delighted as Bulldogs show promise after 'awful season'

Published Oct 2, 2025 02:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Eager to move on from its forgettable campaign last year, National University is showing signs of huge potential in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, something that head coach Jeff Napa welcomes with satisfaction.
NU head coach Jeff Napa is delighted as the Bulldogs continue to show promise in UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
NU head coach Jeff Napa is delighted as the Bulldogs continue to show promise in UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
Eager to move on from its forgettable campaign last year, National University is showing signs of huge potential in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, something that head coach Jeff Napa welcomes with satisfaction.
Built differently from last season, the Bulldogs cruised to their third straight win after defeating erstwhile unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 76-69, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion last Wednesday evening, Oct. 1.
Napa said it wasn’t a statement win but instead a message of hope from his wards who are all inspired to move forward after finishing Season 87 with a measly 4-10 record for seventh place.
“Hindi naman ito yung statement win talaga. Kasi nga, galing kami sa awful season, last season, di ba? So, kahit papaano, eager ‘yong mga players to prove something na makabalik,” said Napa.
“Pero siyempre, ‘yong sinasabi ko sa kanila, hindi tayo ibe-bless ng mga basketball gods kung hindi tayo magtatrabaho talaga. It's all about effort talaga sa amin ngayon. So, at least itong three wins namin, tinrabaho namin, tinrabaho ng mga players,” he added.
Jake Figueroa and Omar John, who replaced foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana, have been playing splendidly thanks to the trust and confidence given to them by the coaching staff.
“They trust each other na kahit anong mangyayari, no one will be left behind,” continued Napa.
“Sobrang laking tiwala ni coach Jeff, binibigay niya ‘yong mga responsibility na kahit na tagilid, bibigay niya pa rin ‘yon bilang kailangan mong maging leader sa loob ng court,” said Figueroa.
NU seeks to maintain its unblemished record against reigning champion UP (1-2) this Saturday, Oct. 4, at the same venue.

Related Tags

NU Bulldogs Jeff Napa Omar John Jake Figueroa UAAP Season 88
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