The NU Bulldogs kept themselves in striking distance throughout the final period in their heartbreaking loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, Oct. 28. But multiple misses down the stretch kept the Bulldogs from building momentum, eventually resulting in a late 10-3 run that helped Ateneo eke out a 69-65 win in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite the loss, NU team captain Reinhard Jumamoy, who paced the Bulldogs in the loss with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, kept his chin up and reminded the Jhocson-based squad to keep their heads sharp and stay ready for their upcoming matches.
“Pinipilit ko maging positive. Syempre as kuya nila, sinabi ko lang sa kanila na wala kaming time magmukmok kasi may panibagong challenge kami this Saturday… Tapos na ‘yung nangyari, mag move forward nalang kami,” Jumamoy said postgame.
In addition, the MVP race leader among local players after the first round with 72.14 statistical points acknowledged his shortcomings, notably multiple three-point misses in the fourth quarter. He then reiterated the coaching staff’s reminders to the Bulldogs to address their miscues in practice.
“Siguro, masasabi ko sa sarili ko na may pagkukulang pa rin ako. Sabi ni coach samin, sa ensayo namin kunin ano ‘yung pagkukulang namin,” Jumamoy said.
The Bulldogs Are Never Satisfied, Says Jumamoy
Still holding a firm grip on the second seed with a 6-3 record, Jumamoy and NU remain unsatisfied with their performances and stressed that there is more room for improvement for the squad individually and as a group.
“Never naman kami nasa-satisfied, lalo na si coach Jeff [Napa]. Sinabi lang samin na wake-up call na samin ‘yun… Madami pa kaming pagkukulang, madami pa kaming kailangan pag-trabahuin as an individual and as a team,” Jumamoy said.
With four games left in the eliminations, the Bulldogs will still face contenders UST Growling Tigers, UP Fighting Maroons, and De La Salle Green Archers, who erased NU’s twice-to-beat advantage last year en route to their Season 88 championship.
Next up for NU will be UST, and Jumamoy will look to repeat his first-round heroics against the Growling Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the same venue.
