JEFF Napa will never admit it – would shrug it off, even – but finishing on top would mean the world for National U.
And why wouldn't it be? A top two finish that comes with a twice-to-beat advantage would only push the Bulldogs closer to their ultimate goal of winning it all.
But rather than talk the talk, the brash mentor would have his wards walk the walk, one NU plans to do, as it aims to take care of business on Saturday against lowly University of the East at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Ito yung stage na kailangan i-level up na nila yung performance nila,” said Napa, never satisfied and still demanding only the best from his players, especially from 'OGs' Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
Win and that fate is sealed - that, being no matter what happens, the Jhocson side will end up in the Top 2, a feat they have not achieved in 12 years, and more importantly, create enough breathing room in what has been a tightly contested UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Warriors, on the other hand, just want to play the spoiler’s role, as they currently wallow at the bottom of the standings at 0-12.
UE coach Chris Gavina expects nothing from his crew, but to “play with pride and play with humility” when the Recto crew shoots for the upset and in the process, end this humiliating 18-game losing skid.
Game time is at 1:30 p.m., fronting the crucial tiff between University of Santo Tomas (6-5) and Ateneo (5-5) at 4:30 p.m.
UST, Ateneo fight over fourth
Not only would this clash between the Growling Tigers and the Blue Eagles be for solo fourth, it may very well dictate who gets in the Final Four itself in this ultracompetitive race.
Collins Akowe, Nic Cabanero, and Forthsky Padrigao are hungry to repeat UST’s first round win against Ateneo – a 98-89 triple-overtime classic at Blue Eagle Gym back in Oct. 11.
But out to deny that are the rejuvenated Katipunan crew with Divine Adili manning the paint anew and allowing leaders Jared Bahay, Kymani Ladi, and Dom Escobar to thrive in this second meeting against their Espana counterparts.
Both teams are coming off confidence-building victories against UE after undergoing midseason skids that derailed what was once promising seasons.
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