UAAP: Coach Jeff Napa downplays NU’s first round lead

NU coach Jeff Napa looks on as his player Jake Figueroa gets the ball during a game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Coach Jeff Napa is paying no mind to National University’s successful first-round campaign in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

The Bulldogs emerged as the top team through the halfway mark of the elimination round following their 71-66 overtime win over Ateneo on Saturday.

READ: UAAP: Paul Francisco heats up as NU escapes Ateneo in OT

“[This is a] good win for us, but we don’t care where we are right now. What matters is how we work for every game. We don’t think about our record,” Napa said after steering his team to a 6-1 record.

“As long as we compete every game, we don’t think about our position especially since the second round is just around the corner.”

The Bulldogs survived the Blue Eagles behind Paul Francisco, who provided the late heroics in OT. He scored 10 of his 13 in extra time. Jake Figueroa also had 13 on top of 10 rebounds.

The win assured NU the No. 1 spot at the end of the first round even if University of Santo Tomas finishes with the same record at 6-1 due to the winner over the other rule.

READ: UAAP: NU improves to 5-1, sends La Salle to back-to-back losses

The Bulldogs beat the Growling Tigers in their first round encounter earlier this month.

NU’s lone loss so far was at the hands of defending champion University of the Philippines.

Napa and the Bulldogs look to continue their winning ways in the second round.

“We’ll refuel because next week we might already start the second round so we need to fully recover to really prepare for the second round.”