League-leading National University (NU) is down to its last two games in the elimination round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
A Final Four seat secured and a twice-to-beat advantage within reach, the Bulldogs’ 10-2 win-loss record is already an achievement for a team that lumbered at the bottom half of the standings last year.
But veteran gunner Jake Figueroa echoes what head coach Jeff Napa continues to preach to NU: Never be satisfied.
“We’re just thinking about our last two elimination games because we need to have confidence to make it to the semis,” Figueroa said after towing the Bulldogs to a 70-64 win over Far Eastern University (FEU) last Wednesday to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four incentive.
“If we can make it to the semis, maybe we can make it to the finals,” added Figueroa, who scored 17 points in downing the Tamaraws.
The forward drilled the dagger three-pointer with 1:13 left in the game when FEU threatened to within three points as NU string its fourth straight win.
The Bulldogs, who are looking to end an 11-year title drought, will face winless University of the East on Saturday before wrapping the elims against University of Santo Tomas on 23 November.
A win will cement NU’s spot in the top two — a first for the school in the Final Four era.
However, Napa is still looking for more from his team.
“We’re not that satisfied because we know we’re now heading into the last stretch,” he said.
“We try to explain to our players the challenge of going into the next level so that we can do the things right when we advance into the next stage,” he added.