Falling short of the Final Four in UAAP Season 87, the NU Bulldogs are raring to hit the ground running this time around.
The NU Bulldogs are out for blood in UAAP Season 88.
Having suffered early on last year after their foreign student athlete was injured in the first game against the DLSU Green Archers, the Bulldogs struggled to find their footing in time to compete for the semifinals.
But late in the season, NU was able to get out of its shell, taking down big teams in emphatic fashion — including wins over eventual finalists UP Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers in the second round.
With a clean slate, the Jhocson-based squad wants to start strong, not just finish.
NU showed flashes of brilliance in the offseason with a run to the finals of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Though ultimately falling in a lopsided loss to UP, NU head coach Jeff Napa believes it’s a step in the right direction.
“Syempre, we’re positive na magiging maganda 'yung resulta. Yun nga, medyo late na kami nakapagpick up. So, maaga palang inadjust na namin para maging maganda yung resulta this coming season," he said.
Of course, Napa is far from satisfied from what he’s seen from his players so far.
With a number of veterans like Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Jolo Manansala all returning for the Bulldogs, Napa has little margin for error for his more experienced players.
“Personal expectations ko syempre, mataas ang expectation ko sa players ko. Pero sakin na muna yun," said.
"Ang gusto ko lang muna they will perform at their best talaga and kung ano man yung maging resulta, talagang magiging happy ako sa performance nila, as long as they perform their best."
Expectations come from confidence
It isn’t tough love for Napa, though, as he believes that the expectations come from knowing what his players can do.
The NU Bulldogs will lean on experience and leadership to move forward in UAAP Season 88. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
A personal witness to his players’ growth, Napa is upbeat that they can show off what they’ve got for the chance to push NU deeper and deeper into the season — especially against more powerhouse teams in the UAAP.
“Confident naman ko na kung ano yung mga pwedeng gawin ng mga players ko talaga. Kung ano yung pwede nilang iperform,” he said.
“So, we will do our best talaga para makuha namin kung ano yung gusto naming mangyari talaga," he added.
NU will test their mettle on opening weekend on Sunday, September 21, at 2 p.m. against the UE Red Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.