The National University Bulldogs have a chance to rewrite history when they face the De La Salle University Green Archers in a do-or-die game on Saturday, December 6, in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
The school’s head-to-head record is in favor of the Green Archers, 3-0. The Bulldogs-Green Archers matchup in the final four first happened in Season 64, where DLSU was the number one seed. The next was in recent memory, in Season 86, when the Green Archers were the number two seed.
In the first game of their semifinals matchup this Season 88, the Green Archers played their best basketball, forcing a rubber match, 87-77. For Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa, his players just need to keep their emotions in check.
“Hindi sa kalawang, e, we have to control our emotions. Doon nagkulang ‘yung mga players. Hopefully, natuto sila sa game na ‘to ngayon,” Napa said. “Playoff basketball is different kasi compared to the eliminations. We’ll look at the videos tomorrow, and we’ll come up kung ano kailangan namin gawin. May challenge lang na kailangan namin tapusin [sa Saturday].”
“May game pa naman kami on Sabado, so we’ll try to correct our mistakes and hopefully, mag-turn things around talaga.”
In their loss against the Green Archers, the Bulldogs were slapped with two technical fouls, including one on Napa. The team also committed 15 turnovers, which the Green Archers converted to 13 points.
Jake Figueroa led the team with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Omar John added 12 points and five rebounds. However, Napa reminded everyone that basketball is a team sport and the Bulldogs cannot rely on just two players to win the match for them.
“Jake is Jake, e. Hindi lang naman kami doon nagre-rely. Ang importante kasi sa amin, we’ll play as a group and as a team. May mga bagay na kailangan namin ayusin, especially doon sa mga ibang players,” Napa admitted.
“Hopefully, ma-address namin tomorrow para we’ll come prepare on Saturday.”
Historically, only two teams that were the number four seed in the final four managed to overcome the twice-to-beat advantage: the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in Season 76, and the Bulldogs in Season 77, which happened to be the last time they won the championship.
Still, Napa was not getting complacent, especially since he knew that history could repeat itself.
“Given naman na ‘yun, e. Kailangan lang namin kung paano namin iha-handle ‘yung ganitong situation at challenge. Still positive pa rin, may challenge, e, given na ‘yan, kung paano kami mag-a-approach from tomorrow coming into Saturday,” Napa ended.
