FROM a promising start, National University is on the brink of missing the biggest stage of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

The Bulldogs lost their last two games of the eliminations, dropping down to third and are facing twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Final Four this weekend.

Setbacks against Adamson and University of the Philippines pushed NU (10-4) to a Final Four duel with La Salle (11-3), which finished second after sweeping the second round and is enjoying an eight-game winning streak.

The Bulldogs and the Green Archers are squaring off in the Final Four for the first time since 2001, when coach Jeff Napa was still a player, being one of the top guns for the Bustillos-based squad.

Napa took all the blame for the late elimination round stumble.

“Siyempre very frustrating yung last two stretch ng games namin, it didn’t favor us,” Napa. “It’s my fault, it’s my responsibility. I take full responsibility sa dalawa na yun.”

For Napa, NU was not playing what it expected to be.

“Hindi yun sa pagiging complacent eh. It’s all about pa rin sa performance. Yun nga, if you want to be a contender talaga, to be called a superstar, kailangan itaas mo yung level mo,” Napa said.

“Ako rin, kailangan itaas ko rin yung level ng thinking ko. Yun yung hinahanap ko na quality na makita ko sa players ko. Hopefully, makita ko talaga,” he added.

With the eliminations over, Napa is now shifting his focus on facing La Salle. One main concern right now for the Bulldogs is the health and fitness of their players, as Steve Nash Enriquez and Kenshin Padrones are still recovering from injuries.

“We need to move forward. We need to prepare against La Salle on Saturday. Yun yung something to look forward to, consolation para sa amin,” said Napa.

In last season’s Final Four, the third-ranked Bulldogs were immediately dismissed by the No. 2 Fighting Maroons. NU still reached the podium for the first time since ending a 60-year title drought in 2014.

Ranged against the Kevin Quiambao-led Green Archers, Napa said that the Bulldogs are taking this as an opportunity to prove themselves and show that they are indeed among the league’s top contenders.

“Hopefully, ma-turn things around. Medyo malaking obstacle, so hopefully, talagang maging healthy na talaga mga players ko para at least maging maganda ‘rin talaga yung magiging laban,” Napa said.

“Ang pep talk ko sa kanila, do the impossible thing, and we will see kung ano yung magiging result coming on Saturday,” he added.

Games Wednesday:

(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. – NU vs Ateneo (Women Final Four)
11 a.m. – UST vs UP (Women Final Four)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs AdU (Men Playoff)