The next level. That’s what NU Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa wants his players to reach when all is said and done.
But it won’t be easy. Not with Napa running things at Jhocson.
“Alam naman nila [na] malabo sa personality kong magpahinga. Malabo sa personality kong maging mabait sa kanila dahil… siguro ‘yun ‘yung naging bread and butter namin papasok ng game,” Napa said after NU held off the UST Growling Tigers on Saturday. “Dahil alam naman namin ‘yung capabilities ng mga kalaban namin.”
Napa’s take-no-prisoners, no-holds-barred approach is paying off. So far in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Bulldogs are 6-2, in solo second just behind the league-leading UP Fighting Maroons, and in position to earn one of two win-once incentives.
The Bigger Picture for Jeff Napa
While success this season is certainly a big goal, Jeff Napa is also thinking longer term for his players. Specifically, he is hoping his Bulldogs make it to the next level—wherever that might be.
“Kung ano man ‘yung maitulong namin sa kanila, basta mag-succeed sila, bonus na sa ’min ’yun,” he said. “’Di na para kami pasalamatan or whatsoever. Sila na ‘yung gumagawa ng buhay, ’yun yung susunod nilang kabanata eh, so hinahanda lang namin sila. Sana magtanda rin sila, marami silang matutunan, pero hindi pa tapos ang season. Mag-aaway at mag-aaway pa rin kami lagi. ’Di na mawawalan ’yan.”
So far, Jeff Napa’s players seem to be all for it. Big men Kenshin Padrones and PJ Palacio, in particular, are relishing the tough love they are getting from their coach.
“Bilang player, syempre, minsan darating din ’yung time na nagre-relax ka, parang kuntento ka sa game mo. Pero thankful kami ni PJ na nandiyan si Coach Jeff,” said Padrones. “Nandiyan sila lagi para i-remind kami na hindi lang ngayon hanggang dito. May next level pa kayo.”
Palacio gets it, too, even if he sometimes feels bad about getting subbed out of games.
“Minsan pag nilalabas ako ni coach… sumasama ’yung loob ko,” Palacio admitted. “Pero at the end of the day, naiintindihan ko ’yung gustong [gawin] ni coach, kasi alam niya ’yung capability ko as a player kasi limang taon na kami magkasama. At the end of the day, ’yun pa rin susundin ko.”
Indeed, it’s quite the dynamic between Jeff Napa and his Bulldogs. But it is working.
