Napa lauds Felicilda as rookie guard shows way for NU (Sabong News)
Author
Carlo Anolin
Date
MARCH 27 2022
National University head coach Jeff Napa commended rookie guard Janjan Felicilda for leading the Bulldogs on the opening day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, March 26.
Fecilda came through with significant numbers as he posted 14 points on a 6-of-12 shooting to go with four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks as
The 5-foot-7 guard, who had suited up for the Bullpups in the juniors’ division, downplayed his impressive debut and shared the credit to his teammates as a collective effort.
“Para sa akin po kung ano ‘yong ibibigay ni coach Jeff, kasi ‘yon nga sabi niya ‘di lang namna ako ‘yong player sa NU,” said Felicilda.
“Marami po kami. Siguro parang suwerte lang ako ngayong araw na ‘to kaya kailangan ko mag-step up para manalo po kami.”
After all, for Felicilda, it’s all about trusting the process and putting faith in Napa’s tactics.
Napa, however, reminded his wards that there is no room for complacency, especially this season, citing that all teams are hungry for victory after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The same applies for the Bulldogs as Napa addressed that they need to fix their execution of plays.
Adamson’s key holdover Jerom Lastimosa took charge late in the payoff period as the Falcons took their first lead of the game, 57-56, before both squads traded baskets in the waning minutes.
“Actually, ‘di lang naman si Janjan, so happy lang na si Janjan nag-step up ngayon then si Jake [Figueroa] then,” said Napa, a three-time UAAP boys’ basketball champion coach with the Bullpups.
“Pero everybody is willing to step up naman. ‘Yong mga ‘yan talagang siguro ‘yong iba over excitement lang dahil almost two years na walang competitive basketball. So hopefully, next game everybody will use that para hindi kami mapunta sa ganitong situation.”
