NATIONAL U’s status as top dog in UAAP Season 88 took another hit on Wednesday, yet again no thanks to defending champion University of the Philippines.
Now counting their most recent 74-78 defeat, the Bulldogs have a 2-9 record against the Fighting Maroons dating back to Season 84, when Jeff Napa took the helm.
READ: Alarcon takes charge as UP re-asserts mastery over NU
“Ok lang. Bilog ang bola, eh. Wake up call na rin siguro ito. Our first loss sa second round, kailangan mas better pa kami mag-perform,” the fiery mentor told SPIN.ph, after their stranglehold on the top-seed got loosened now with a 6-2 standing.
Of course, NU didn't help itself with an abysmal 1-18 then 4-22 start before coming back to their senses and making a match out of it come the second half.
With both squads trading basket-for-basket, Jolo Manansala’s determined defense rewarded him with a steal on Fighting Maroon Reyland Torres a few seconds past the four-minute mark, which ended up with an uncontested Tebol Garcia layup to cut the blue-and-gold's deficit to three, 64-67.
Only, before the Bulldogs could celebrate the closest they could come, referees actually blew their whistles. Video review later showed that Manansala’s back leg collided with Torres’ chin on the former's way up.
Garcia's basket didn't count and instead, Manansala was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, giving Torres free throws and UP possession.
“Call nila yun eh,” answered Napa when asked about the critical call. “So ayoko nang parang makipag-duel doon sa judgment call na yun.”
The NU tactician has had his fair share of colorful commentaries on the performance of referees, which has earned him a ‘stern warning’ from the commissioner’s office.
So this time, Napa chose his words carefully.
“Kung ano yung nakita nila, siguro, tama sila sa paningin nila. Kaso, doon nagbago yung momentum," he said. “There's no reason para maging issue pa yung whatsoever na yun. Siguro, meron eh. Kailangan lang namin mag-bounce back ulit.”
NU excuses
Judgment call aside, the Bulldogs would be the first to admit that this sorry showing was all on them.
“Give credit talaga sa kanila (UP). They really prepared for us. Kasi simula pa lang, they proved na mas mataas yung energy nila. Yun yung naging factor talaga na nangyari sa amin,” said Napa.
And make no mistake, the fact that they didn't let themselves get blown out isn't a silver lining - especially with Ateneo then La Salle coming up next in their schedule.
“Hindi rason yung nakahabol, talo pa rin eh. Pero, kung right from the start of the game, nandoon na yung effort, nandoon yung energy, nandoon yung aggression namin, siguro iba yung complexion ng game,” said their shot-caller.
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