National University head coach Jeff Napa against Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — National University flexed its might anew in UAAP Season 88 on Wednesday, and their latest triumph came in front of a packed Mall of Asia Arena filled by Nationalians.
A sea of blue and gold witnessed the Bulldogs notch their 10th victory in 12 games all thanks to their 70-64 win over Far Eastern University on Wednesday -- a result that inched them closer to a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final 4.
READ: NU inches closer to Final 4 incentive after escaping with slim win vs. FEU
While NU head coach Jeff Napa anticipated that his wards would be in for a tough battle against the Tamaraws, what surprised him was the strong presence of their commnunity.
“Yung FEU, alam kong hindi basta-basta bibigay yan. Ang hindi ko in-expect ngayon ay yung ganung karaming crowd,” said the former NU sniper.
”Nung naglalaro ko, parang 1,000 lang kami, so I‘m happy for my players na they have this opportunity,” he added.
This was a welcoming development for the Jhocson-based squad especially since they missed out on the Final 4 in Season 87 after consecutive years of third-place finishes.
However, Napa emphasized how this also signals higher stakes for NU, meaning that they do not have any space for complacency.
”We’re happy, pero kailangan naming maging ready,” he insisted. “There is no need to celebrate, kasi wala pa kaming napapatunayan.
And for the Bulldogs to overcome the brighter lights and the bigger stages, Napa vows to guide his crew as they enter the crucial stages of the season.
“Ine-expect ko na yan lalo na’t we’re 85,000 strong [sa NU],” said Napa. “Kaya kami anditong coaches para alalayan sila sa ganitong situation.”