NATIONAL
UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS
UAAP Season
82 (2019) record: 2-12 8TH place after elimination round
Coach: JEFF NAPA (1st Season)
Subtractions: Tsaddy
Rangel, Dave Yu
Decommitted: Dave
Ildefonso (Transfer) Migs Oczon (transfer) John
Vincent Gallego (transfer) Chami Diputado
Holdovers: Shaun
Ildefonso, Enzo Joson, Issa Gaye, John Lloyd Clemente, John Galinato, Jonas
Tibayan, Michael Malonzo, RJ Minerva
Additions:
Transferees: Germy Mahinay(UST)
Team B:
Patrick Wilson Yu
Rookies: Ej
Felicida (NU) Jake Figueroa (Adu) Ian Jolo Manansala (LSGH) Reyland Torres (NU)
Steve Nash Enriquez (NU) John Omar,
Reserves:, Anthony
Sistoza, Jesse Crisostomo,
Patrick Ramos (UC Sta.cruz) Joshua
Flores (SHS-ADC)
Background:
The
Bulldogs are the big losers in the recruitment wars that started when Bullpups
champion coach Goldwyn Monteverde rejected the offer to coach the Bulldogs for
the 2020 season. After rejecting that offer, most of the Bullpups prized
recruits including Carl Tamayo jumped ship and eventually followed Goldwyn to
UP. After that, the Bulldogs then got former Bullpups champion Coach Jeff Napa
as its head coach and the rebuilding of the bulldogs followed.
Key
changes:
Coach
Jeff Napa had his collegiate baptism of fire while coaching the Letran Knights and
in his third year there he guided them to a final four stint. This will be the
chance for Coach Jeff to spread his wings more in guiding the Bulldogs. Luckily for NU some Bullpups still called in
from their juniors squad as Ej Felicida, Reyland Torres and Steve Nash Enriquez decided to stay in
bustillos while landing a big name in Juniors MVP Jake Figueroa from Adamson.
Returning for their last year with the Bulldogs are Shaun Ildefonso, Enzo Joson
and Issa Gaye while the team will most likely rely very much on the sweet
shooting John Lloyd Clemente. John
Galinato, Jonas Tibayan, Michael Malonzo and RJ Minerva complete the cast of the eight
holdovers from season 82. Another big man who can help them is Germy Mahinay
who transferred from UST.
Outlook:
The
Bulldogs have a solid inside force with foreign student athlete Issa Gaye,
Shaun Ildefonso, RJ Minerva and Germy Mahinay. They have adequate shooting in
JLC, EJ Felicida and John Galinato. The Bulldogs have a solid point guard in
veteran Enzo Joson quarterbacking the team with Felicida and Steve Nash
Enriquez as his back up. Wing Rookies Jake Figueroa and Reyland Torres should
be able to grow up fast to be able to contribute right away for the Bulldogs.
The question now is how they will match up with the bigger teams like UP, DLSU,
Ateneo and dark horse FEU. If Coach Jeff can motivate his team to understanding
that they have a chance at cracking the final four then most probably the
Bulldogs can surprise a lot of teams this year.
Forecast:
Looking at the Bulldogs
line up you can say that they are above three other teams and if things turn
their way, they can surprise the other favorite teams and make it to the final four. This
will have to be predicated on how fast they will be able to execute Coach
Jeff’s offense and defensive tactics. With the correct motivation, Coach Jeff
can inspire his players to play more than a hundred percent and exceed the
expectations laid on them. Expect JLC to lead the pack with surprises from
former Bullpups EJ Felicida, Reyland Torres and Steve Nash Enriquez.
photos from UAAP Varsity Channel and NU Page
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