OMAR John leaving National University may have been a big issue for any other coach, but not coach Jeff Napa.
The outspoken mentor made it clear that he's not losing sleep on anyone - whoever it may be - who decides to leave their camp. Not now, not ever.
So much so that he's already got someone in mind to replace his foreign student-athlete.
"Siguro ako ang papalit. [Maitim] din naman ako eh," he said in jest, eliciting laughs from the media.
READ: NU gets measure of revenge on La Salle in Filoil Preseason
John reportedly decided to turn pro in Japan where he is set to play for Tryhoop Okayama in the 3x3.EXE Premier.
But Napa would have none of that chatter, opting to focus on those who remain with the Bulldogs rather than those who left.
"Di na natin kailangan pagusapan yung mga umalis. Ever since naman, Kahit umalis si [Kean] Baclaan], di na natin pinaguusapan yan. Kung sino yung mga umalis at hindi gusto maging loyal dito for our school, di na kailangan pagusapan yan," he said.
"Ang importante kung sino yung mga nandito sa school namin, yung nandito na naiwan and hopefully, makatulong sa team namin."
What he's happy for is Mo Diassana who returned with flying colors for NU after recovering from an ACL injury.
The Malian big man racked nine points and 11 rebounds in the gold-and-blue's 70-64 win over La Salle on Sunday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup for a superb start to the Bulldogs' campaign.
Napa, however, said that it's still up in the air whether NU will look for a second option for its foreign student-athlete spot in the leadup to the UAAP Season 89.
"Syempre, maghahanap pa rin kami. Gagawin kong dalawa si Mo para kahit papaano maging dalawang import namin," he said with a grin.
"We’ll see kung hanggang saan kami talaga. Di naman namin ie-excuse kung sino yung nawawala. Kumbaga, us coaches need to find a way para talagang mag-fit sa amin, mag-contribute sa amin kung sino yung naiwan. Kaya nga sabi ko sa inyo, ako muna ang papalit."
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