National University head coach Jeff Napa in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA – When National University's top dog struggled on offense, the rest of the pack stepped up to help the Bulldogs clinch another victory.
While Jake Figueroa scored five points for NU in their win against the De La Salle Green Archers, he made up for it with eight rebounds, six assists, and six steals.
Steve Nash Enriquez, Paul Francisco, and Omar John did the heavy lifting for NU.
Enriquez had 16 points off four triples, Francisco chipped in 14 markers from a perfect shooting clip and John contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
NU head coach Jeff Napa praised his wards for stepping up against DLSU.
READ: National U reasserts mastery of La Salle to stay on top
"Given si Jake minsan may off night. Pero yung presence ang very crucial for us ni Jake eh. Kasi sabihin natin hindi siya nakaka-shoot, pero yung assist niya. At least meron parin kaming ganung leader na willing to take that shot, willing to take the risk. Hindi siya pinapabayan ng teammates niya," he said at the post-game press conference.
"Hindi lang naman dahil kay Jake usapan ng team namin eh. It's all about 16 strong players. It so happen lang na si Jake yung pinaka-leader. We just play team basketball talaga. So kumbaga may off night, di na namin inintindi yung off night na yan kasi alam na namin may someone [who will] really step up," Napa added.
Napa was referring to Gelo Santiago, who is serving his five-game suspension, after hitting Ateneo's Waki Espina in their previous match.
"It's not about who is absent eh. It's about sino yung naglalaro sa loob ng court. Kanina medyo struggling, foul trouble si PJ. Pero yun nga Reinhard is still not 100 percent. So hindi na namin para isipin yun. Physically and mentally dapat ready kami," Napa said.
"There's no reason na hindi kami mag-perform despite na may mga ganong adversities. Kasi napagdaanan na nila yun. So there's no excuse kasi nandito kami sa giyera. Hindi kami pwede lumaban na kulang-kulang kami or kulang kami sa bala," he added.
The NU head coach reminded his wards to keep fighting, especially as they face "war" in the second round.
"Whatever pilay ka diyan, as long may bala ka diyan, buo pa yung kamay mo, makipag-compete ka dyan. Sinabi ko naman talaga sa mga players ko yun, kahit tanungin niyo sila. Kasi giyera talaga pupuntahan namin yung second round," Napa said.
BULLDOGS STAY HUNGRY
The league-leading Bulldogs are staying hungry and focused on the prize – the men's basketball xhampionship.
John acknowledges the team's performance so far, but he wants to avoid a repeat of previous seasons where they crashed out of the semifinals.
"Based on my experience, before I sat out last year, I played Season 85 and 86. We were a really good team to be honest. We had the chance to be a champion but coming to the second round, we relaxed," John said.
"So after now, I'm not happy at all. For me, it's just the first round. We have to go all the way. So I have experience and I hope they also. There's no room for relaxing," John said.
As one of the veterans, Enriquez reminds his teammates to stay focused with seven games left before they get their goal.
"Mantra na namin yun eh. Siyempre masaya kami nanalo kami. Pero pag labas namin ng arena, hindi pa kami kuntento sa anumang nakuha namin. Kasi hindi pa tapos yung laban," he said.
"Siyempre grateful kami. Grateful kami kung anong binigay ni Lord sa amin. Pero never kaming contented na gusto pa namin ibigay yung best namin. Hanggang may mapiga pa kami sa sarili namin, gagawin namin nang paraan," Enriquez added.
The NU veteran echoed John's sentiment to avoid a repeat of the previous seasons.
"Alam namin na nag-learn kami doon. Naging veteran din kami ni Jake, Jolo, nangyari sa amin yun. Palagi naming inaano na hindi na maulit yun. Ibibigay namin yung perfect effort talaga. Kasi walang malas pag-ibigay mo effort mo," Enriquez shared.
NU will next face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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