BY John Miles Arcenal
FOR a team that has defense as its bread and butter, losing a glue guy could tear things apart.
And that is very much true for top-ranked National U.
Now without its utility wing Gelo Santiago for its next five games, the blue-and-gold will be missing one of the key cogs keeping its red-hot engine churning.
Before the disciplinary action, the 6-foot-1 versatile talent was averaging 7.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in UAAP Season 88.
Without a doubt, his absence looms large for NU, as Santiago serves as stabilizer of its two-way attack - often tasked with guarding the opponent’s top scorer, diving for 50-50 balls, injecting athleticism, and spacing the floor as spot-up threat.
He was a much-welcome complement to Jhocson's steady backcourt, tough frontline, and, of course, do-it-all Jake Figueroa.
Acid test of NU's doggedness
That would mean that head coach Jeff Napa would need to retool his rotation, giving more minutes to other hustle players such as Jolo Manansala, Paul Francisco, and Mark Parks - all of whom thrive on hustle and defense.
This adjustment will put Napa’s system and the Bulldogs' depth to the test, especially when matched against teams with more talented rosters, starting Sunday against a surging La Salle squad.
If Santiago were there, he would be all over primetime playmaker Jacob Cortez or matching the energy and effort of the Green Archers' very own glue guys in EJ Gollena, Earl Abadam, and Jcee Macalalag.
It will be a crucial contest - not only because a win would create a two-game cushion over squads breathing down their necks, but also because it would give them valuable momentum heading into its remaining assignments.
Those games still on their schedule, where Santiago, for sure, would have been a big boost, especially on defense? Adamson with its three-headed monster at guard in Mathew Montebon, Matty Erolon, and Ray Allen Torres; Far Eastern University with top-shelf guards Janrey Pasaol and Jorick Bautista, as well as rising star Kirby Mongcopa; University of the East with a motivated John Abate and Wello Lingolingo; and University of Santo Tomas with Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranada.
If National U aces these acid tests, it will return to the Final Four with renewed confidence just in time for Santiago’s return, at which point it will have its glue guy to help out in keeping it together.
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