BY John Miles Arcenal
NATIONAL U’s unbeaten run came to an end, but graduating guard Steve Nash Enriquez believes this setback is just part of the journey.
After opening UAAP Season 88 with a 3-0 record - their best start in the Final Four era - the Bulldogs got a wake-up call, bowing to the defending champion University of the Philippines, 59-66, on Saturday.
READ: UP finally solves QPav riddle to strike NU down for first time in UAAP Season 88
“Siguro, kulang pa. Kulang pa," Enriquez told SPIN.ph, maintaining an optimistic tone despite the defeat. "So magtatrabaho na lang kami and basta babalik na lang kami, mag-eensayo kami, doon na lang kami babawi.”
“Basta kalimutan na namin kung ano yung nangyari. Basta dahan-dahan lang, kaya naman namin.”
Even with Enriquez’s 16 points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, the blue-and-gold - the league’s top defensive team so far - struggled to find their rhythm late, as the Fighting Maroons put down the clamps defensively.
No losses, just lessons for NU
For the NU skipper, the loss was more of a lesson than a failure, especially with how they should have handled UP’s physicality and second half adjustments.
“Kailangan lang namin ‘pag may ganong physicality, kailangan lang naming tapusin. Sayang lang, kinapos kami, but again, hindi naman kami talo, nag-learn naman kami,” he shared.
While the Bulldogs saw their perfect start snapped, Enriquez reminded his teammates to trust the process with three more quarters left in the tournament.
As he put it, “Alam ko naman yung team na ‘to, kumbaga lahat, gustong maka-contribute. Ganoon lang, nangyari na ‘to. God’s plan, God’s will palagi, so bawi nalang.”
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