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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider No room for relaxing: Bulldogs keep hunger alive in UAAP title chase

No room for relaxing: Bulldogs keep hunger alive in UAAP title chase

Published Nov 3, 2025 12:44 pm

At A Glance

  • National University once again proved that its early dominance is no fluke after tightening its grip on the top spot with an 8-2 record in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament. But the Bulldogs knew better than to rest on their laurels, fully aware that the road ahead promises even stiffer competition.
The NU Bulldogs are determined to keep that fire burning in bolstering their campaign in UAAP men's basketball. (UAAP Media)
The NU Bulldogs are determined to keep that fire burning in bolstering their campaign in UAAP men's basketball. (UAAP Media)
National University once again proved that its early dominance is no fluke after tightening its grip on the top spot with an 8-2 record in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
But the Bulldogs knew better than to rest on their laurels, fully aware that the road ahead promises even stiffer competition.
“We were a really good team, to be honest. We had the chance to be champion, but coming to the second round, we relaxed,” said Omar John, who starred for the Bulldogs with 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in their 75-67 win over De La Salle over the weekend.
“As of now, I'm not happy at all… We have to go all the way. I have experience and I hope they are also, there's no room for relaxing. We have to do the work and come back strong every game,” he added.
Veteran Steve Nash Enriquez echoed the sentiment, stressed that being complacent would just put their campaign in danger.
“Hindi ka dapat makuntento kung anong meron, pero syempre grateful kami sa binigay ni Lord samin, pero never kaming naging kuntento,” said Enriquez.
“Gusto pa naming ibigay ‘yong best namin, hanggang may mapiga pa kami sa sarili namin, gagawan namin ng paraan,” he added. “Tyaka gaya ng sabi ni Omar, nangyari na ‘yon no’ng 85-86, and alam naming nag-learn kami do’n.”
It’s a lesson learned for the Jhocson-based squad, a team that has shown flashes of promise in recent years but has repeatedly fallen short when it mattered most, extending its long wait for UAAP glory. The Bulldogs last tasted championship success more than a decade ago, in Season 77, when Alfred Aroga led them to the crown.
Since then, NU has struggled to return to the same heights. The Bulldogs reached the semifinals in Seasons 85 and 86 but bowed out to powerhouse teams, reigning champion University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, before finishing last season in seventh place.
“Palaging [pinapaalala sa mga sarili namin] na hindi na maulit ‘yon, ibibigay namin ‘yong perfect effort talaga, kasi walang malas pag ibibigay mo ‘yong effort mo,” Enriquez continued. “Kung para sayo, ibibigay [ni Lord] ‘yon, will nya ‘yon.”
Beyond John and Enriquez, the entire NU roster has embraced the belief that it’s never over until it’s over -- a lesson reinforced by head coach Jeff Napa’s trademark “tough love” approach.
“Whatever pilay ka dyan, as long may bala ka dyan, buo pa yung kamay mo, makipag-compete ka dyan. Sinabi ko naman talaga sa mga players ko yun. Kahit tanungin nyo sila,” said Napa.
“Kasi giyera talaga pupuntahan namin ngayon, second round. Kaya, medyo naging exaggerated lang ako sa mga sinasabi ko sa kanila, pero ‘yong meaning, ‘yon kailangan nilang intindihin doon,” he added.
NU has the chance to prove that when it goes for its third straight win in this duel against Adamson (5-5) on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
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