National University head coach Jeff Napa took the blame after the team’s 47-44 setback against Far Eastern University last Oct. 23 in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
In the low-scoring affair, the Bulldogs found themselves on the losing end against the determined Tamaraws who were aching for their second win in the tournament’s first round.NU, which topped the standings at 5-1 before bowing to FEU, was the only team to hand defending champion University of the Philippines a beating in the first round with an 80-75 victory last Oct. 12.
“I’m not contended doon sa standings na nakukuha namin. Kasi sa UAAP, anything is possible talaga. Maraming nangyayari. As much as possible, ang mindset ko kasi win as many games whatever it takes eh. So, kahit may ganyan kaming kartada hindi mo masasabi eh. Nadali kami tuloy ng FEU. So, we don’t even know. We have to move forward. We have to act fast in order to regain our momentum again. Be ready against UP kasi UP agad ang first game,” continued Napa.
The Bulldogs couldn’t keep their position as no player in their roster scored in double-digits and eventually yielded in the defensive clash. Napa not only expects the second round to get tougher for them but is now particularly looking at the revenge-seeking Fighting Maroons, who are sporting a 6-1 card, on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Di naman papayag ulit ‘yong UP na makaisa ulit kami sa kanila. So defintely, we will bleed kung makakuha ulit kami na panalo sa kanila. Cause they are defending champion, they are number 1,” he added.