BY John Miles Arcenal
FOR years, the National University trio of Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Jolo Manansala have been more than just teammates, they’ve become brothers on and off the court.
From grueling practices to off-day nature trips, from morning weights to night classes, these marketing management majors have shaped not only their bond, but also their journey as leaders of the pack.
Now, as they prepare for their final dance, the 'OGs' - as head coach Jeff Napa refers to them - are not only chasing redemption, but are also determined to leave behind a legacy of doggedness they hope the next Bulldogs will continue.
Who let these Bulldogs out?
The familiarity of this trio wasn’t shaped in the gym alone. Their connection was also built in the classroom.
“Magkaklase kami halos lahat ng subject. So lahat ng sikreto, lahat ng problema, napag-uusapan namin. Kahit saan, magkakasama kami,” Enriquez told SPIN.ph.
The 'OGs' were always together, even in Panalay games, where they tested their chemistry against local teams and built trust despite inevitable occasional misunderstandings.
“Maraming beses, kasi hindi naman kami perfect, after mangyari ng hindi pagkaintindihan, nag-usap-usap lang kami, nag-regroup lang kami hanggang sa makuha namin yung timing namin sa team at sa isa't-isa,” Figueroa shared.
“Natural na lang yun eh. Kasi as a player, natural lang yung mga hindi kayo magkakaintindihan sa court,” Enriquez chimed.
“Ang importante talaga doon e paano niyo respetuhin yung isa't-isa, kung paano niyo pag-usapan nang maayos,” he added.
Enriquez, the team captain, is the voice who keeps the group grounded, huddling them when emotions run high.
As Manansala puts it, “Minsan sa practice, 'pag 'di nagkaintindihan, hina-huddle na agad ni Nash. And then, pag-uusapan namin kung anong nangyari. And then, after nun, back to normal na naman, naaayos na naman.”
Pampanga's best
With Enriquez often serving as the team’s voice, the two Kapampangans lead by setting examples for their teammates in their own ways.
Figueroa, the former UAAP boys’ basketball MVP, portrays himself as a silent, humble, and disciplined leader who lets his consistency and work ethic speak louder than words.
As Enriquez describes him, “Silent lang, pero alam mo yung kung kailangan mo siya, handa siyang mag-deliver.”
“Si Jake, sobrang humble. Kumbaga, sobrang simple na hindi mo makitaan ng yabang or what,” Manansala expressed.
On the other hand, the 6-foot-4 Manansala carries himself as the senior enforcer, guiding his teammates by letting it know exactly how they can improve.
“Si Jolo, sobrang strict nyan, napaka-strict sa time management. Sobrang mahalaga sa kanya yung oras,” Figueroa stated.
Manansala, for his part, admitted that among the three, he tends to be the more emotional one.
“Sa aming tatlo, ako yung pinaka-emotional, lalong-lalo na 'pag nagkaroon ng bad game kasi parang iniisip ko nagiging useless ako and then parang mabigat lang sa pakiramdam na hindi ka makakatulong sa team mo,” he said.
Blue-and-gold blessings
But as the team captain, Enriquez always reminds them to keep perspective, saying, “Palagi ko sinasabi sa kanila, may masamamang araw, pero hindi masamang buhay na. Hindi naman palagi Pasko. Hindi araw-araw, swerte tayo."
"So, may will talaga si Lord na may setback lang ngayon, pero maganda yung sa dulo. Yan ang palagi ko sinasabi, alam nila yan.”
Figueroa was of the same mind in saying, “Sabi nga ni Nash. Parang it's only a bad day, not a bad life. Hindi naman tayo perfect.”
“Para sa akin lang, hindi naman tayo katulad ni [Stephen] Curry na golden hands eh, hindi naman tayo katulad ni LeBron [James] na sobrang athletic. So para sa akin, marami pa kaming i-improve sa character namin,” he added.
This coming UAAP Season 88, the trio is clear about their goal to win it all - and that means bringing back the Bulldogs among the league’s 'big boys,' as Napa refers to top teams.
“Last year, hindi kami nakapasok, pero wala, 'di na namin kontrolado yun,” Enriquez expressed, as a knee injury to foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana derailed their campaign right from the first quarter a year ago.
“So yung importante is ano yung meron ngayon. Sa last year namin, kumbaga, ayaw na namin mag-regret pa kami kung hindi namin binigay lahat. Kailangan bigay na lahat sa ensayo pa lang,” he added.
Of course, Manansala agreed, saying, “Kailangan muna din namin ayusin yung mindset namin na huwag maging relaxed throughout the season. Kasi may mga past season kami na dapat nandun kami sa one or two spots. So kailangan namin i-set na maging consistent kami the whole season and sana walang may injuries.”
And you can bet Figueroa was going to echo those statements in saying, “Main goal naman namin siyempre yung championship."
As their time in Jhocson winds down, the 'OGs' aim to influence the team with their leadership and hope to finally reclaim the crown National U last had atop its head in 2014.
“Hopefully,” Enriquez said with a smile, “sa susunod na usap natin, champion na kami.”
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