HISTORICALLY, finishing in the top two has not been kind to National U.
The only time that the Bulldogs finished in the top two, the Jhocson side bowed out in the Final Four, as that Ray Parks-led team which claimed the top seed got upset by No. 4 University of Santo Tomas back in UAAP Season 76.
Coach Jeff Napa, a proud alumnus of the school, remembers that vividly, as he was watching from afar as the Bullpups then-head coach.
“Yung time na yun na nagkaroon ng twice-to-beat tapos nabalewala yung lintik na twice-to-beat na yun, there’s no assurance,” he said of that time 12 years ago.
“Kahit may twice-to-beat ka, there’s no guarantee na makakaabot ka sa finals, sa championship.”
Armed with that learning, Napa is heavily guarding against complacency, especially after NU secured the first playoff bonus in Season 88.
READ: NU assured of Top 2 berth thanks to furious fightback vs UE
Nonetheless, this incentive is a step in the right direction for the Napa's program, as in the past two times he guided his team to the playoffs, they were at a twice-to-win disadvantage.
In Season 85, they got dispatched by longtime tormentor University of the Philippines then in Season 86, still as the third seed, they couldn't find a way past eventual champion La Salle.
Twice-to-beat is still once-to-win
That’s why for blue-and-gold shot-caller, it’s of the utmost importance for the Bulldogs to keep that hunger regardless of what their position is in this ultracompetitive field.
“Hindi naman namin iniisip kung ano yung na-achieve namin ngayon. Ang importante sa amin kasi yung performance pa rin namin at the highest level. Bonus na lang yung kung ano yung na-achieve namin ngayon, pero kung hindi kami maglalaro at our level na gusto namin, balewala yan eh,” he said.
NU was put to the test on Saturday when University of the East jumped to an 18-point lead, one that Napa used as a challenge to his wards.
Luckily, the Bulldogs were quick to adapt, making the right adjustments to pull off the 83-74 triumph over the Red Warriors for their 11th win in 13 games.
“Yung sinabi ko sa dugout sa kanila, fortunately nagising sila doon. Pero yung strong message na binigay ko sa kanila, na kumbaga yung pangarap ninyo, yung goal ninyo na gusto niyong ma-achieve, 'pag kayo natalo rito sa ganitong laro, kalimutan niyo na. Kasi itong mga game na ito, hindi dapat tine-take lightly. So medyo doon kami nagkulang talaga at nagkamali,” he said.
Not to sound like a broken record, but that’s just the kind of standard Napa wants to uphold for National U, especially with it chasing its first crown in 11 years.
“Ang importante sa amin is how we perform pa rin, how we approach the game pa rin, and how we will level up our game pa rin,” said the outspoken coach. “Siguro kung magawa namin talaga yun, ibibigay sa amin ng basketball gods kung ano talaga yung para sa amin talaga.”
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