UAAP: Jeff Napa’s outburst motivates NU to return to form vs UST

NU coach Jeff Napa. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines—It took an outburst–and a broken tumbler–from National University coach Jeff Napa for the Bulldogs to get their bearings together and return to the win column of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

Despite the squad’s 87-69 victory over University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Napa didn’t look too happy when he faced the media.

They got the win, yes, but the veteran tactician bared that he lost his patience for the Bulldogs after their loss against University of the Philippines on Saturday, 78-60, at Araneta Coliseum.

“Actually, I’m not in the mood much to answer you guys now because I’m not the one who made the game plan for today. I walked out on them yesterday so this win is all on them. They’re the ones who played,” said Napa.

“Our game against UP was very bad. Only thing missing was me destroying the chairs in Araneta so for this one, credits to them. They executed today. They can do it, after all… Unfortunately, I broke my tumbler. I’ll just buy one again in Starbucks,” he added in jest.

WATCH: NU coach Jeff Napa and Jolo Manansala after win against UST. #UAAPSeason86 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/TdGDJp7OC4

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 11, 2023

NU seemingly showed up as a whole other squad when they faced the Growling Tigers. After being trounced by the Season 85 finalists, the Bulldogs didn’t fool around this time and registered an efficient 50.9 percent shooting clip as a team.

The San Marcelino squad also dominated the rebounding department, beating UST by 20, 45-25.

The biggest thing that caught Napa’s attention, though, was the Bulldogs’ improvement in sharing the ball.

After tallying just 10 team assists on Saturday, NU returned to form and passed the rock consistently, registering 23 dimes as a squad.

“Last time, everyone got selfish. At least now, they showed that they’re enjoying as a group. As long as we enjoy as a group, we’ll have no problems. A lot of teams will be scared to play us if we play as a group but if we play one-on-one, we might as well pack up,” he explained.

NU’s unselfishness, Napa said, was also the reason why the Bulldogs won convincingly as they did, pummeling the still-winless UST by 18.

“They did their part and the win just came naturally, that blowout game just came naturally. I didn’t expect it because UST is a very strong team.”