01/10/2026
🐶💙💛 ERIC ALTAMIRANO SEES CHAMPIONSHIP DNA IN JEFF NAPA’S CURRENT NU BULLDOGS
There may be more than just talent behind the current National University Bulldogs.
For former NU championship coach Eric Altamirano, the present-day Bulldogs under Coach Jeff Napa are showing familiar qualities reminiscent of the NU team that finally ended the school’s long championship drought in UAAP Season 77.
Altamirano, who guided NU to the 2014 UAAP men’s basketball championship, continues to closely follow the Bulldogs and sees encouraging similarities between his title-winning squad and Napa’s current roster.
> “Very tough yung team ni Coach Jeff.”
That toughness is one of the biggest things Altamirano appreciates about the current Bulldogs. He pointed to the team’s balance, depth, and ability to compete despite not relying heavily on highly touted blue-chip recruits.
Much like his 2014 championship team, the current NU squad has developed its identity through players who continue to grow within the system.
🏆 FROM UNDERDOGS TO CHAMPIONS
NU’s historic 2014 championship did not happen overnight.
Before finally capturing the title, the Bulldogs experienced seasons of disappointment, including missing the Final Four and suffering painful semifinal exits.
Those setbacks eventually became part of the foundation of the championship team.
That history is something Altamirano believes the present Bulldogs can relate to.
The 2014 squad had Gelo Alolino running the backcourt, while the current Bulldogs have Reinhard Jumamoy providing leadership at the point.
NU also had powerful pieces in Alfred Aroga, Troy Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin, Pao Javelona, and Kyle Neypes.
Today, Napa has his own collection of key pieces, including PJ Palacielo, Kenshin Padrones, and 6-foot-10 FSA Mo Diassana, giving the Bulldogs a combination of guards, wings, and size.
💙💛 THE JEFF NAPA SYSTEM
One thing that stands out is how Napa has built his teams.
Rather than depending solely on star-studded recruiting classes, his Bulldogs have consistently developed players and turned them into competitive pieces within the system.
That approach has allowed NU to remain in the Final Four picture in recent seasons, even after losing important players from previous campaigns.
For Altamirano, that is a reflection of Napa's work as a coach.
He expressed pride in what his fellow NU basketball figure has accomplished and believes the Bulldogs have the necessary pieces to contend.
🔥 THE WAIT CONTINUES
Since Napa returned to NU in 2022, the Bulldogs have made several Final Four appearances but have yet to return to the championship throne.
The lessons from those setbacks, however, have become part of the program's continuing journey.
And that is where the comparison to 2014 becomes especially interesting.
The 2014 Bulldogs also experienced disappointment before finally reaching the summit.
This time, NU enters another season carrying the experience of previous battles.
For a program with a championship tradition and a passionate Gold and Blue Nation, the message remains simple:
Keep building. Keep fighting. Keep believing.
Because sometimes, championship teams are forged long before they ever reach the Finals.
💙💛 BULLDOG PRIDE. CHAMPIONSHIP MINDSET.
📌 Credit: Tiebreaker Times
Original report by Justine Bacnis.
This post is an original fan-page rewrite/adaptation for Gold and Blue Solid Nations.
