The Bulldogs are set on their goal this Season 86.
The second Final Four slot in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament has been secured by the NU Bulldogs after dominating the FEU Tamaraws, 68-57, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Bulldogs seemingly had control of the game from the get-go, but it was only until the third quarter that NU was able to fully distance themselves from the Tamaraws.
Jake Figueroa led the way for the Bulldogs with 15 points on a hyper efficient 6-for-8 shooting clip, to go along with his six rebounds. Kean Baclaan, meanwhile, had another all-around game with seven points, four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
The win puts the Jeff Napa-led squad at 9-2 in the standings—good enough for the Bulldogs to secure their second straight Final Four appearance.
But they know that the ultimate goal is still a long ways to go. And they are taking things step by step.
“Sabi nga ni coach Jeff na laging move forward, one game at a time. Hungry kami every game kasi may gusto kami ma-reach this season,” Figueroa said during the postgame press conference.
The goal now for the Bulldogs is securing the also important twice-to-beat advantage going to the Final Four. But Napa doesn’t want his team to focus on that solely.
“‘Yung twice-to-beat ibibigay ‘yan kung ibibigay talaga samin pero ‘yun nga ‘yung sinabi ko sa kanila, kailangan paghirapan. Mas masarap pag pinaghihirapan lahat,” said Napa.
“Libre mangarap. Meron kaming goal na pinu-push, challenge kumbaga sa amin kung ano ba ‘yung ma-achieve namin this season talaga,” he added.
NU will look to continue its win streak as it faces the UST Growling Tigers on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
FEU, meanwhile, is hoping to keep its Final Four hopes alive when it takes on the UP Fighting Maroons, also on Saturday.
(MDB)