UAAP: NU Bulldogs embrace Napa’s tough love as Final Four race heats up

National University head coach Jeff Napa against University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA – Sometimes tough love can bring out the best in players, especially following a tough loss in the tight race for a UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball Final Four berth.

National University got an earful from head coach Jeff Napa after being defeated by the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday for the second time this season.

“Ayaw na namin maulit yung nangyari against yung Ateneo talaga na masyadong ang baba ng energy namin. Pero give credit pa rin sa last game ng laban namin sa Ateneo. Talagang tinanggal kami sa normal na posisyon namin, sa pagiging komportable namin,” Napa said during the post-game press conference on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The NU mentor showed his team a stricter and more serious side as he looked to light a fire under his players and turn their potential into performance on the court.

“Sabi nga ng mga coaches ko, nag-tiger look muna ako. Medyo nakatikim sila ng di maganda. Para hindi na pwedeng kasing kami magpahinga na kung ano man eh. Kasi kami naman yung team na hindi naman kami ganong kalakas, hindi naman kami ganong kahina eh,” Napa explained.

“So naglalaro lang kami as collective effort, kaya kami nagiging maganda yung performance. Tapos nilalagay ko lang yung mga bata, kaming mga coaches, nilalagay namin yung mga bata sa tamang posisyon nila, tamang komportable na kung pwede saan sila makaka-generate or makakatulong sa team,” he added.

NU big men Kenshin Padrones and PJ Palacielo said they are taking Napa’s tough-love approach in stride, knowing that the mentor is doing what’s best for them.

“Bilang player, siyempre, minsan dadating din yung time na magre-relax ka, parang makokontento ka. Pero thankful kami ni PJ na nandyan si Coach Jeff, sila Coach Glenn, sila Coach Kevin, sila Coach MC, mga coaches na ready sila lagi para i-remind kami na hindi lang kayo hanggang dito. May next level pa kayo,” Padrones said.

“Thankful kami na yung tumatak sa amin ni PJ na inano sa amin ni Coach Jeff. Hindi lang kayo hanggang dito. May next level pa kayo,” he shared.

As for Palacielo, he understands and accepts the tough love from Napa, whom he believes wants to prepare him for life beyond the UAAP.

“Yung sinabi sa akin ni Coach Jeff na pag lumalabas ako, hindi ko naman strength yun sa labas. Kumbaga minsan sumasama yung loob ko kasi gusto akong ibang gawin. Pero at the end of the day, naiintindihan ko kung ano yung point ni Coach Jeff,” the big man said.

“Kasi alam niyo yung capability ko as a player. Kumbaga limang taon nga kami magkasama. Alam niya kung saan talaga ako kumukuha ng puntos, kung saan ako nasa nakapagtrabaho. So at the end of the day, yun pa rin naman yung susundan ko,” he added.

Palacielo remains grateful for Napa’s trust, repaying it by dominating the boards and making sure he scores inside the paint.

“Kahit lumalabas ako minsan, makulit ako. Pero at the end of the day, alam ko naman babalik ako ni Coach Jeff. Kumbaga yung trust niya pa rin nasa akin,” he explained.

“So ayun, kung ano man yung tinuturo ni Coach Jeff sa akin, lagi ko naman pinapakinggan yun. Ito na ako gumagawa ng paraan kung ano yung maitutulong ko sa team,” Palacielo said.

The Bulldogs will take some time to rest and recover before they return to action against De La Salle University on Wednesday.