National U's Jake Figueroa and Co. are starting off on the right foot after a dominant win over University of the East in UAAP men's basketball.
National University is turning over a new leaf in UAAP Season 88.
In stark contrast to their close opening loss to La Salle in the previous season, the Bulldogs zoomed to a 72-57 victory over the retooled University of the East at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Sunday, Sept. 21.
Thanks to Jake Figueroa's offensive efforts and the return of foreign student-athlete Omar John, the Bulldogs are starting off on the right foot this time.
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For head coach Jeff Napa, the most important development was that the team was able to finish the game injury-free.
“Very important for us is to become healthy muna. Ang pinakanaiisip namin ngayon is maging healthy kami," said Napa.
"Kasi mahaba 'yong season. So at least masaya kaming nalagpasan namin itong first game na kahit papaano, walang nangyari sa players namin."
[ALSO READ: Jake Figueroa, NU drub UE to begin UAAP Season 88 men's basketball campaign on high note]
Confidence booster
The dominant victory gives confidence for the Bulldogs, who handed the Red Warriors their seventh straight defeat since the second round of the tournament last season.
NU rode a strong second half to outscore its foe, 33-23, for the breakaway.
With 13 more games to go for the Bulldogs in the elimination round, Figueroa believes that NU is heading in the right direction as it aims to return to the Final Four after missing out last season.
“Thankful ako kasi sa first game namin, nakuha namin. Para confident kami sa mga paparating na games namin. Siyempre, ang gusto lang ni Coach Jeff sa amin, na nandoon ang effort namin at nandun 'yong aggressiveness namin sa kada game,” he said.
“So kailangan, every game, ready kami.”
[READ MORE: Jacob Cortez fulfills childhood dream of playing in UAAP with La Salle Green Archers]
Figueroa finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, five steals and two blocks, while Paul Francisco added 12 markers on 5-for-7 shooting.
Precious Momowei paced UE in the losing effort with 12 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
NU is set to tangle with FEU next on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Meanwhile, the Red Warrior will return to action against Ateneo still at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Wednesday, Sept. 24.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter 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.