MANILA, Philippines–National University head coach Jamike Jarin kept in high spirits despite a fourth straight heartbreaking loss to the Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday.
NU took its third one-point loss in four games this season following an 80-79 setback to University of the Philippines last Sunday, but rather than dwelling on the result, Jarin focused on the positives.
One of the bright spots Jarin saw was the last play of the game where NU forward Dave Ildefonso set up an open teammate in John Lloyd Clemente for what would’ve been the game-winning shot.
“I was just proud of Dave Ildefonso gave up the pass to a wide open John Lloyd Clemente. Unfortunately, he was covered pretty well on the recovery. He showed no hesitation in taking the shot, it just didn’t go in,” Jarin recalled.
“Those are the things that you have to be proud of. Making the right decision, then, John Lloyd Clemente whole-heartedly took the shot and took the responsibility and these are the things you mentor these young men.”
More than the losses are the lessons learned.
“I was telling them right after the game, in the next 20 years of your life you would look at this season and no matter what you will encounter in your lives, you will ready because you will overcome all these pain. You will get better,” Jarin said.
“That’s why I’m really proud of them. I’m not mad. I can’t get mad. You’ve seen us how to do things. We’re dead, we come back. We play hard and I’m sure everybody except for the fans of UP was rooting for us and you can’t ask anything from these kids. Win or lose, you have to be proud of these young men.”
Next for NU is a matchup against league-leading Ateneo, who is the only unbeaten at 4-0.
“I’m sure (Ateneo) coach Tab Baldwin will be doing his homework and I’m sure he’s gonna tell his boys this NU team is not a pushover.”