NATIONAL University head coach Jeff Napa said he was pleased with how the Bulldogs responded after an emotional halftime tongue-lashing.
He downplayed his role in the comeback from a poor start and said the harsh words were meant to help the players not only in the game but in life.
READ: Kean Baclaan on third quarter heroics for NU: 'Superstar ako eh'
"Hindi naman na ko ‘yung nag-coach sa kanila eh. Talagang they fought really hard to come back in this game (so I) give credit to them.
"Alam ni Kean (Baclaan) ‘yun kung ano ‘yung galit ko kanina nu’ng first half talaga. Hindi kasi sila ‘yun eh. Alam ko kung ano ‘yung itsura nila kapag sila eh. Alam ko kung paano sila makipag-compete kasi kilala ko silang lahat," said Napa.
For his boys' best interests
"May masakit man akong mga nasabi, pero wala na ‘yun. Alam naman nila kung gaano ako kasakit magsalita eh. Na-prove nila (mga sarili nila) anuman ‘yung diniin kong mga salita," the NU coach shared.
"Lagi ko lang iniisip ‘yung kapakanan nilang lahat. Ayokong makitang may malihis sa kanila kasi maganda ‘yung future ng mga batang ‘to."
Words to live by
Napa wants to use every chance he can get to instill important life lessons which will come in handy in their prospective pro careers.
"As much as possible, du’n ko sila nilalagay sa magandang sitwasyon para hindi man ako maging coach na nila ulit, someday maiisip nila na tama pala ‘yung mga sinasabi ko.
"Hindi naman ako magiging coach nila forever. Hindi rin naman sila forever nandito sa NU," said Napa.
Hurt is a must
"Sa tunay na buhay, kailangang matutunan pa rin nila ‘yung mga bad omen or negative experiences na kailangan namin i-correct. Naging emotional lahat nu’ng first half at nawala lahat sa wisyo, even ako kasi the way they acted, iba ‘yung naramdaman ko.
"‘Yung emosyon, nandu’n na ‘yun eh. It’s about how they respond sa mga challenges na binibigay sa kanila," Napa stressed.
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