NU coach Jeff Napa during a timeout. Photo from Filoil
MANILA, Philippines—National University advanced to the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup semifinals without a loss, but the team knows complacency is not an option.
The Bulldogs will be facing an unpredictable Adamson University in the preseason’s semis after beating San Sebastian, 75-64.
The Soaring Falcons, who played without Jerom Lastimosa, also outlasted Lyceum University, 83-71.
The key disadvantage of Jeff Napa’s Bulldogs, however, will be the unavailability of key players John Lloyd Clemente, Steve Nash Enriquez and the incoming former UST standout, Kean Baclaan.
“We have to come out strong, day in and day out, still. We’re still not gonna be complete so we’ll have to experiment,” Napa said.
Napa knows what the Falcons are capable of even if they decided not to play Lastimosa, who is listed as questionable due to fatigue, again in their one-off semifinal duel.
“We’ll have to be ready still, these players they know their jobs they, despite injuries they will be ready to compete.”
The Bulldogs and the Soaring Falcons will face off for a finals spot at 3 p.m. in the first game of the semis.