NU Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–National University coach Jeff Napa’s emphasis on team effort came to fruition on Saturday when the Bulldogs outlasted Far Eastern University, 62-60, at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
With foreign student athlete Mo Diassana on the sidelines, the Bulldogs followed suit with Napa’s “all out” mentality to notch their first win of the season.
“We have to give our effort and 110 percent to go all out,” said Napa.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“As you all know, we’re undermanned. Our FSA (foreign student athlete) is out and that’s what I’m emphasizing, we have to be all out, day in and day out.”
Diassana fell victim to a freak injury in his left knee in the Bulldogs’ first game of the season where they fell short to defending champion La Salle.
In Diassana’s absence, Jake Figueroa stepped up big to will NU to its first season win with eight points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
“Like what coach (Jeff) always says, he didn’t prepare us to fight incomplete for nothing. If someone goes out, all of us won’t fall,” said Figueroa in Filipino.
READ: UAAP: NU rallies past FEU for first win in men’s basketball
But despite the win over FEU, things won’t be easier for the NU Bulldogs, especially in their next outing.
With Diassana’s return still uncertai, Napa and company will face off with league juggernaut University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the same venue.
Though undermanned, Napa and the Bulldogs are determined to live out their battle cry to give the Fighting Maroons a fight.
“Every game, we’ll have different opponents, different approaches and game plans but the number one thing I emphasize is that we have to rely on ourselves. That’s our battle cry.”