After blowing their twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, the National University Bulldogs bid farewell to graduating players Steven Nash Enriquez and Jake Figueroa.

The Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the De La Salle University Green Archers, 78-73, to end their UAAP journey.

Enriquez, a full-blooded Bulldog since he started his journey with the school in 2018, had nothing but good words for his alma mater, which took a chance on him.

“Yes. Pinaka-best na decision and I’m so blessed na binigay ito ni Lord sa akin. Walang regrets, no regrets na pinili ko ‘yung NU. I am so thankful na tinanggap nila ako ng dalawang kamay. Alam ko na kahit nung natalo kami, parang nagluksa rin sila para sa amin. Alam ko naman na sobrang mahal ako ng NU sa sobrang tagal ko dito,” said Enriquez after playing his last UAAP game.

“I’m so grateful na na-experience ko itong UAAP, at the same time, na nakapaglaro ako sa NU. Hindi ko ito ipapagpalit, itong eight to nine years ko dito. I’m so grateful na tinanggap nila ‘yung mga tulad ko na nangangarap dati,” he added.

It was a deja vu feeling for the Bulldogs, who once again were eliminated in the final four despite having a twice-to-beat advantage. In Season 76, the Bulldogs also finished the elimination round on the top, but were defeated twice by the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the semifinals.

Despite this heartbreak, Enriquez only saw the silver lining as he prepared for his future in competitive, professional basketball.

“Sadly, hindi lang talaga namin nakuha, pero siguro pinagpe-pray ko pa rin, lalo sa mga grumaduate, na hindi man para sa amin itong college basketball na mag-champion kami, hopefully, kung saan ‘amn kami dadalhin ni Lord sa pro career namin, baka doon maging masaya,” he hopefully said.

“Hindi man kami nanalo dito, pero hindi natin alam ‘yung will ni Lord na baka manalo kami sa buhay. ‘Yun lang, marami pa kaming challenges na haharapin, and there’s one of this challenge na heartbreak dito sa UAAP.”

Jake Figueroa’s Dream in KBL

Aside from Enriquez, Jake Figueroa also played his last game in the UAAP. Now that his collegiate career is over, he set his sights on playing abroad, especially in the Korean Basketball League.

“Kahit ano, okay lang naman ako. Iba pa rin ‘yung sa international ka maglaro kasi ‘yun naman lahat siguro ‘yung goal nila, pinapangarap ng mga athlete ngayon. Siyempre, ako rin, dream ko rin makalaro sa international,” he admitted.

Unlike Enriquez, Figueroa transferred to National University after finishing his junior basketball career with the Adamson University Baby Falcons, where he got the MVP in his last season. Still, it didn’t make him less of a Bulldog than Enriquez.

“No regrets naman kasi binigay naman namin 100% namin ngayong game. Sobrang blessed ko rin na nag-NU ako, kumbaga, tinapos ko ‘yung playing years ko sa NU. Sobrang ganda ng journey ang tinakbo namin sa mga seniors ko,” he said.

“‘Yung pagiging leader at ‘yung maturity sa loob ng court, ‘yun naman ang palaging sinasabi sa amin ni coach, na maturity talaga ang importante.”

Six players — including Figueroa and Enriquez — just played their final game, but they made sure that the fire to win as a Bulldog remained in their younger teammates.

“Sabi ko lang sa kanila kanina, na lagi sinasabi sa amin ni coach Jeff (Napa) na kahit na llamado kami ngayon, kahit twice-to-beat kami, nawala pa rin ‘yung hinahangan namin sa finals. Sabi ko sa kanila na every year is a different story. I-cherish nila every year kung may matitira lang silang playing year,” he advised.

“‘Yung dalawang center namin, si Omar (John) at si PJ (Palacielo), sila Kenshin (Padrones) at si Reinhard (Jumamoy), kahit na senior na kami, tinutulungan pa rin kami para umangat sa bigger stage. Sobrang thankful din kami na may ganon kaming teammates na hindi ka iiwan, nandiyan pa rin sila para sa ‘yo.”

Coach Jeff Napa to Rest After Heartbreaking Season

At the end of his fifth season with the National University Bulldogs, head coach Jeff Napa is taking the future one step at a time, saying that his priority after another heartbreaking season is to rest.

“Number one, gusto ko munang magpahinga. Hindi ko alam, mag-uusap muna kaming lahat for everybody. ‘Yun naman ang buhay, e. There’s a challenge, accept the challenge, and move forward,” he said after their loss.

“Hindi ko muna iniisip ‘yung next year pero as coaches kasi, pag-uusapan namin lahat kung ano ‘yung pwede namin i-plan out. We will see kung ano ‘yung maibibigay ng naiiwan then we will see kung ano ‘yung magiging approach namin talaga next year.”

Next year will be challenging for the Bulldogs as six players have already exhausted their eligibility. Still, Napa is proud of the team he led that exceeded the expectations of the spectators.

“I’m still proud of my team dahil wala naman nag count in sa amin right away. I think from the start of the season, nasa five and six yata kami sa rankings, e. I’m proud of my team. Thank you sa mga naniwala, susubok ulit kami kahit anong mangyari. Hindi pa rin kami bibigay,” he ended.

“Nothing to be ashamed of. I’m still proud of my team. Although we fell short, still nobody expected naman na mapunta kami sa ganitong sitwasyon, especially last year wala kami sa Final Four then we became number one.”