NU’s Omar John focused on team, not personal matchups in UAAP

NU Bulldogs center Omar John during a game against the CSB Blazers in the Filoil Preseason Cup. FILOIL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—National University’s Senegalese center Omar John is ready to take on the UAAP’s big names but he made it clear that he’s not about the individual praise.

Despite being compared to the likes of Ateneo’s Ange Kouame, University of the Philippines’ Malick Diouf and Far Eastern University’s Pat Tchuente, John would rather focus on helping the Bulldogs win.

“I’m not here to face Kouame, Diouf or Pat. I’m here to face Ateneo, UP, La Salle and others. We play as a team not individual,” said John.

John averaged 7.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in close to 20 minutes per game in the Filoil Preseason Cup, helping NU complete a perfect campaign in 11 games.

NU head coach Jeff Napa lauded John after a near double-double effort of 12 points and eight rebounds in a 56-46 win over Far Eastern University in the finals but made it clear that every player on the Bulldogs must always be ready to fulfill their roles and accountable.

“He was great but he will know everybody has fair treatment. There are no rookies or veterans, if you have a role and you made a mistake, you have to accept my tongue lashing,” Napa said.

John, who, along with Germy Mahinay and RJ Minerva make up the Bulldogs’ frontcourt, is set to make his UAAP debut in the upcoming Season 85, taking over Issa Gaye’s spot in the rotation.