Date Published: September 25, 2024
Time Published: 6:35 AM
Manila National University (NU) edged out Far Eastern University (FEU) 62–60 in the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 14, despite the absence of Mo Diassana due to an ACL injury, as a Bulldogs rallied behind coach Jeff Napas’s call for never give up.
Diassana, NU’s towering 6-foot-10 center, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during their game against defending champions De La Salle, which ended in a narrow 75–78 loss.
Despite this setback, Coach Napa’s squad has grown accustomed to facing adversity, embodying the resilience their leader emphasizes.
Even though they are short-staffed, Napa says, "We have to give our effort and 110 percent to go all out.” The Bulldogs followed suit with Napa’s “all out” mentality to notch their first win of the season.
Jake Figueroa of NU had eight points, seven boards, six assists, three steals, and one block while Diassana was out.
"The coach keeps telling us that we're not going to fall apart just because someone falls," Figueroa said, pointing out that the team has a "next-man-up" mindset.
The Bulldogs still have a long way to go, even though they won their first game. When they play again, it will be against the Fighting Maroons of the University of the Philippines. Without their star center, they are a scary team.
The Bulldogs are up against a tough team since Diassana is out for the season. For Napa and his team, giving the Fighting Maroons a run for their money is more important than the weather. They plan to do this by following their gathering call and doing their best on the court.
REFERENCES:
[1] Del Carmen, L. (2024, September 14).NU’s Mo Diassanaruled out for UAAP Season 87 due to ACL injury. Tiebreaker Times. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/.../nus-mo-diassana.../312754
[2] Escarlote, Mark. “HURTING but DEADLY: Fighting Maroons Not Taking Depleted Bulldogs Lightly.” Daily Tribune, Daily Tribune, 17 Sept. 2024, http://tribune.net.ph/.../hurting-but-deadly-fighting.... Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.
[3] Fuertes Jr, R. (2024, September). UAAP: NU Bulldogs determined to go “all out” sans Mo Diassana. INQUIRER.net; INQUIRER.net. https://sports.inquirer.net/.../uaap-nu-bulldogs...
[4] Villanueva, R. E. (2024, September 15). Bulldogs buck absence of big man Mo Diassana in come-from-behind win over Tamaraws. Philstar.com; Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/.../bulldogs-buck-absence-big...
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