MIXED emotions overcome National University coach Jeff Napa as he reflected on a surprise run to the UAAP Season 85 Final Four and looked forward to a potentially better Season 86.
The usually tough and stern tactician welled up with tears during his final press conference on Wednesday after the third-seeded Bulldogs lost to the twice-to-beat UP Maroons in the Final Four, 69-61.
"Malungkot syempre kami. Di naman totally disappointed; so sad lang na natapos kaagad 'yung run namin ngayon. Siguro bawi kami next year. I think just two minutes away na makaka-steal kami ng game," rued Napa.
[READ: UP Maroons beat Bulldogs to reach UAAP Finals]
"Masakit, pero still a good run because nobody expected us to be in this situation na kalaban yung UP. Alam ko naman everybody, hindi kami kina-count agad. At least yung mga bata, yun ang number one, na naniwala muna," he continued.
The team, which briefly enjoyed time atop the leaderboard during the first round of the eliminations, wilted under pressure and showd its inexperience during the second, settling into the third ranking with a 9-5 record.
The relatively young squad beat last year's and this season's finalists, Ateneo and UP, both in thrilling fashion, during the season behind defense that held opponents to a league-low 65.43 points per game.
Following his brief period of mourning, Napa's demeanor turned bright with a sense of hope for a team that will likely be mostly intact for next year, a season wiser.
"Challenge ko sa kanila next year, now you put yourself in this situation, so next year, you should be ready dahil hindi na kayo babasta-bastahin," said Napa. "Talagang ilu-look up na kayo as one of the contenders na rin. Yun lang sinabi ko sa kanila."
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