TECHNICALLY, the SM Mall of Asia Arena is the homecourt of National U.
The Bulldogs, backed by SM and chair Hans Sy, even have their very own dugout inside the modern venue in Pasay.
But at least in basketball, that homecourt advantage hasn't been felt in quite a while.
On Wednesday, that all changed, as 6,916 fans mostly clad in blue, with gold here and there, came out and threw all their support behind their league-leading team.
Feeding off the deafening energy of their growing community, NU secured a hard-fought 70–64 win over Far Eastern University to move on the doorstep of a twice-to-beat advantage for the UAAP Season 88 Final Four.
READ: Figueroa comes up clutch anew vs FEU as NU closes in on F4 bonus
And without a doubt, this gutsy win and that kind of crowd behind them was meaningful. It's a reflection of how far Jhocson's basketball program has come since the playing days of its now-head coach.
Before being the team’s shot-caller, Jeff Napa suited up for the Bulldogs from 1997 to 2002, back when the squad rarely filled even a small section of the stands.
“Kaya kami nanditong coaches para alalayan sila sa ganoong situation. Pero yun nga yung masarap, kasi nung naglalaro ako, 'di ko alam, isang libo lang ata kami nun eh,” he said.
“So I’m happy for my players na merong ganyang opportunity na nakikita ng mga tao kung ano yung showcase nila talaga na talent.”
From a handful of supporters to nearly filling arenas, the National U community has grown into one of the league’s most passionate fanbases - more pointedly for their dynastic volleyball teams and hopefully now, for their basketball units as well.
“Oo naman, expected ko na yan kasi we’re 85,000-strong eh,” Napa added, referring to the school's 14 campuses stretching from Baliwag, Bulacan all the way to Cebu and Bacolod.
“Hindi ko lang expected na ganito kaaga. Pero we’re happy. Pero yun nga, kailangan naming maging ready sa ganyang crowd talaga na ibibigay na support sa amin.”
I got NU rules, I count 'em
That crowd on Wednesday was largely made up of students from NU’s MOA campus, who filled the stands and made the Tamaraws feel like they were a visiting team,
The last time NU's mens' basketball team reached the UAAP Finals, its crowd - alongside FEU fans - set the record for the largest attendance in league history, drawing 25,138 fans for Game 3 of the Season 77 Finals.
Now, a decade later, with a 10–2 record and a playoff incentive within reach, this season stands as their best shot to return to the championship stage that once defined their rise.
For his part, do-it all Jake Figueroa said this kind of support brings out the best in them on the court.
“'Di namin expect talaga yung ganyang crowd kasi yun nga, kumbaga nabu-boost yung morale namin sa ganyang karaming crowd,” he said after finishing with 17 points, six boards, and five dimes.
“Kaya siguro ganoon yung energy na pinakita namin.”
Fellow senior forward Jolo Manansala also shared how much the team wanted to make the night worthwhile for their fans.
“Sobrang saya kasi kahit papaano, para makauwi sila na sasabihin nilang sulit yung panonood nila,” the forward stressed after tallying eight points and nine rebounds.
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