By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University concluded its first round on a high note on Saturday, Oct. 5, winning over Ateneo, 78-68, despite missing the services of its foreign student-athlete and figuring out the adjustments needed for a stronger showing in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball.
The Bulldogs finally broke their four-game losing skid for a 2-5 win-loss card heading to the next round.
NU head coach Jeff Napa considered the victory over as a huge morale booster as they try to barge into the Final Four.
“Hopefully this win will give us confidence coming to our second round,” said Napa.
“Para kahit papano, alam niyo naman ‘yong kulang namin kasi we’re still adjusting,” he added. “I gave all the credit sa mga players ko rin na they try their best to compete parin eh.”
Mo Diassana, the Bulldogs’ FSA, has been absent since suffering a serious knee injury in their season-opener game against La Salle last month and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Though Diassana wasn’t around, Kenshin Padrones stepped up on both ends as he contributed decent numbers in the offensive column while also manning the paint.
“Alam naman namin na malaking kawalan si Mo (Diassana) sa amin, nagtiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa and ano man ‘yong mga adjustments ni coach, nagtitiwala lang kami,” said Padrones, who impressed for NU over Ateneo where he topscored with 18 points along six rebounds.
Despite currently sitting near the bottom of the standings at sixth, Napa remained optimistic that his wards could turn the tables if they manage to maintain their composure down the stretch.
“Di na namin mababago ‘yong character, ‘yong pagiging winner nila talaga, although hindi lang napupunta sa amin ‘yong favor eh,” Napa said. “‘Di namin iniisip kaagad na manalo, lalaro kami at our best of our level, ‘yong panalo makukuha nalang namin ‘yon kapag andun kami sa tamang way na gusto namin mangyari.”
