Three straight wins and a return to the top mark NU’s best start since UAAP Season 86, but coach Jeff Napa remains focused on the Bulldogs' daily improvement.
Despite steering NU to match its best start in two years, head coach Jeff Napa refuses to get carried away.
The Bulldogs closed the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament with a gritty 71–66 overtime victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, reclaiming the top spot in the standings with a 6–1 record.
[ALSO READ: Paul Francisco shines as NU nips Ateneo in OT, reclaims solo lead in UAAP Season 88]
But for Napa, celebration can wait.
“Good win for us, pero wala naman kaming pakialam kung nasaan kami ngayon. Ang importante kasi sa amin ay how we perform every game talaga,” he said.
NU squandered an early 18-point first-half lead and a 55-48 cushion with 3:52 left in regulation, as Shawn Tuano’s triple tied the game at 61-all with nine seconds left.
Paul Francisco, who had only three points up to that point, had a chance to win it in regulation but misfired on a jumper, followed by Jolo Manansala’s missed tip-in at the buzzer.
Francisco found redemption — scoring all 10 of NU’s points in the extra period to emerge as the Bulldogs’ unlikely hero.
Paul Franciso saves the day in overtime for NU in a gutsy win against Ateneo. | Photo: The UAAP
He finished with 13 points, while Jake Figueroa nearly tallied a triple-double with 13 markers, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
“My coaches and teammates just kept telling me to shoot the ball. I was kind of struggling throughout the course of the game. I credit my teammates and coaches for believing in me to keep shooting it — and it paid off in overtime,” said Francisco.
Steve Nash Enriquez and Omar John combined for 23 points as NU improved to 6-1, reclaiming the top spot in the standings while extending its winning streak to three.
Grounded Bulldogs
Even if UST (5-1) wins over Adamson later, the Bulldogs technically hold first place due to their head-to-head victory against the Growling Tigers.
Still, for Napa, rankings remain secondary.
“Hindi namin iniisip kung ano man ‘yung standing namin, ang importante ‘yung growth ng players talaga,” said the NU tactician.
Throughout the opening round, NU has secured statement wins over Ateneo, La Salle, and UST, with their lone defeat coming at the hands of defending champion UP.
“Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax as a group, especially coming to the second round. Kailangan paghandaan namin 'yung standard namin sa susunod na round,” Napa added.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues