ALMOST is never enough - and National U is feeling that right to the core, as it bows out of UAAP Season 88 as a top seed dispatched in just the Final Four.
The waterworks were on for 'OGs' Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez after the final buzzer when they faced the Bulldogs faithful inside the Big Dome and sang their alma mater hymn for the last time as players on Saturday night.
Then coming out of the dugout from their final huddle of the season, head coach Jeff Napa, usually full of fire, was welling up as well, doing his darndest to hold back his own tears.
Still, his mouth was a flamethrower as always and his words were as fiery as ever in his post-game conference, saying, "Kahit anong sabihin niyo, banderang kapos o whatsoever, wala akong paki dun."
"Life goes on. We gave our best. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Give credit sa La Salle, they played their heart out."
Indeed, the Green Archers played their heart out, as they didn't quit in the face of the blue-and-gold's three-point lead inside the last three minutes until Jacob Cortez shot them back to the finals and in the process, shot down NU's title hopes once and for all.
READ: La Salle leashes top dog NU to set up another finals date with UP
Without a doubt, this one will sting for quite a while in Sampaloc, with their Bulldogs being the pacesetters for the most part in this ultracompetitive tournament before losing their edge - talking about both internally and their twice-to-beat - in the semifinals.
Bulldogs exceed expectations
Nonetheless, Napa was quick to point out that they weren't even supposed to be here, with preseason previews pegging them to be on the outside looking into the playoff picture, or just barely getting in it.
"Although we fell short, still, nobody is expecting us naman na mapunta sa ganitong sitwasyon," he said. "Pero ako, alam ko naman ang capabilities ng mga boys na 'to e. Alam kong capable na makabalik sa Final Four."
"Bonus na nag-No. 1 pa kami, kahit masakit talagang we fell short. Alam ko namang binigay nila yung best nila," he added to SPIN.ph.
Indeed, getting swept in the semis will be yet another mountain to climb for these Bulldogs.
But it's not like they haven't scaled several peaks already in this tournament.
Coming off a seventh-place finish last year, Napa and his wards put just about everybody on notice right away that they were back and better than ever, all while Figueroa looked the part of the league's best player.
The mentor also squeezed the most from players up and down the roster, with the likes of Paul Francisco, Reinhard Jumamoy, and PJ Palacielo taking turns in delivering the goods alongside their 'OGs.'
And best of all, National U was able to establish and reinforce an identity of grittiness and non-stop grind, dogged in their play on offense and defense game in and game out - in the end, embodying the grit, grind, and doggedness that had long defined Napa himself.
That's exactly why inside their locker room, their shot-caller gave his players all the credit they deserved, and will continue to do so even with their campaign over and done with.
"Nagpasalamat ako sa kanila for giving their best throughout the season. They sacrificed everything. Kahit anong mangyari, proud na proud ako sa kanila, especially sa personality nila to accept the challenge, especially galing sa'kin," he said.
The Bulldogs are no longer top dogs. But their bark is back, so is their bite, and this season will nonetheless wind up to be a step in the right direction.
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