[Editor's note: This is the third of a special eight-part preview of the UAAP men's basketball season]
Last Season: 6th Place (5-9)
Key Holdovers: Issa Gaye, Jonas Tibayan, Dave Yu, Rev Diputado, Enzo Joson
Returnees: Joshua Sinclair, JV Gallego
Departures: J-Jay Alejandro, Matt Salem, Jordan Bartlett
Injury List: Chino Mosqueda (ACL)
Newcomers: Dave Ildefonso, John Lloyd Clemente, John Galinato, Shaun Ildefonso
Head Coach: Jamike Jarin (2nd season)
NATIONAL University has the youngest core this UAAP Season 81, but head coach Jamike Jarin warns not to count the Bulldogs out.
In his second year as NU coach, Jarin warns his collection of young, talented players is capable of springing surprises in what he describes as a 'make-or-break season' for the team.
“Of course, its a make or break for everybody, for the entire school, the entire team,” Jarin said. “Right now, we're excited that we got a very talented and very skillful team, but like what you said, it’s a very young team.”
“We got players who have five years to play, four years to play. It’s a young core, we’re really excited, especially with the growth of this team,” he added.
Jarin acknowledged lack of experience is a concern after NU lost two leaders in J-Jay Alejandro and Matt Salem . US NCAA veteran Troy Rike was supposed to fill the void but was declared ineligible weeks prior to the season.
But Jarin remained defiant.
“It's a combination of everybody because we're so young and the experience that we have is not enough,” he said. “That's the only thing you can't fast-track eh, they're being young. Hopefully, we just complement each other, we do our respective roles in the team and we'll be fine.”
Jarin is banking on seniors Dave Yu and Rev Diputado to provide the leadership. Issa Gaye and Shaun Ildefonso, who has completed a one-year residency after transferring from Ateneo, are also natural leaders, the NU coach added.
“Well right now, the burden of leadership is on the shoulders of Dave Yu and Rev Diputado, but fortunately, we got Shaun Ildefonso who is a natural leader, a born leader and with the maturity of Issa Gaye, they're helping them out,” Jarin said.
The NU coach is also pinning his hopes on newcomers Dave Ildefonso, John Gallinato and John Lloyd Clemente as well as fit-again Josh Sinclair.
“It has to be a combination of youth and maturity right now. We have to complement each other, not only me but the entire team together with the coaching staff," said the former Ateneo Blue Eaglets and San Beda Red Lions mentor.
“We’re gonna play with a lot of heart and were gonnna give a scare to the entire UAAP season.”
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