Aldous Torculas finally reaped the rewards of his hard work and perseverance.
He led the University of the Philippines with 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists in its 81-64 victory over Far Eastern University on Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Amidst his best game so far in his collegiate career, the second-year forward from UPIS was quick to pay homage to his captain, CJ Cansino.
The Fighting Maroons’ leader has been a constant guide for him throughout his promotion in UP’s high school and seniors programs.
“Siyempre, si CJ.
“Si CJ kasi, he always reminds me yung ano yung role ko sa team. I just stick with it. Kumbaga, lagyan ko ng effort,” said Torculas. “Si CJ kasi hindi siya nag-sugarcoat. Sinasabi niya sa yo yung gusto niyang sabihin.”
As the leader of the current batch of Fighting Maroons, Cansino has taken it upon himself to pump his teammates up as well as tell them what they could do differently on the court.
It can be a difficult challenge, but it is one that the former UST Growling Tiger has taken in stride.
However, the Season 80 high school MVP and the Malabon City native share a special bond.
The former kept track of the latter’s progress starting from their entry into coach Goldwin Monteverde’s program.
“Nung Season 84 na naka-bubble kami, sila yung mag-roommates ni CJ. Wala pa si Aldous sa team nun officially. Graduating palang siya nun,” said UP deputy coach Christian Luanzon.
“Yun yung sacrifice na binigay ng bata kahit alam niya hindi siya magiging officially part ng team nung time na yun. Pero he joined us in the bubble. Roommates sila ni CJ. That’s where they really developed yung relationship nila,” he added.
“In Season 85, when we were not getting time on the floor, si CJ rin yung parang naging kuya niya and dapat lang kasi siya lang rin yung born 1999. Kuya talaga yan si captain Cansino.”
For his part, Torculas has absorbed things like a sponge. He has fully embraced the learnings and approach from Monteverde and his staff.
He may have been through some difficult moments, but he has always made sure to pull through in the end.
This mental toughness has made the current UP staff happy with him, and he has become a key contributor for the Fighting Maroons in their title quest so far.
“Every player, si Coach Gold kasi, iba-iba yung approach niya. What do I mean by that? There’s a certain player, for example, yung approach niya medyo mild, ito medyo madiin, (at) ito tamang diin,” said deputy coach Christian Luanzon.
“Si Aldous, a little bit of everything. He’s experienced yung ganung treatment kay coach Gold. Kami ni-re-remind lang namin sa kanila is the important thing, si coach Gold – kasi as his former player – matakot ka na lang pag di ka pinapansin niyan eh or any coach kasi wala na yung concern sa yo,” the former player-turned-coach continued.
“Pero itong mga ‘to, 16 players from Malick Diouf – our MVP – all the way to the last guy on the bench, pare-parehas yung coach Gold. Meaning pag nag turnover yung isa, it affects the whole team regardless of who you are,” he shared.
“Si Aldous, yung maganda sa kanya, na-o-overcome niya yung ganung things. It was a struggle at first, especially nung pre-season. These are teenagers.”
Luanzon added, “May mga times na kailangan nila ng comfort but at the same time, kailangan din nila ng kaunting push from coach Gold and sa amin sa staff. Yun yung kagandahan nung nakikita namin sa kanya sa growth niya, especially he’s only in his second year.”
UP will close the elimination round next week against University of Santo Tomas and National University. The Fighting Maroons are gunning for a playoff advantage in the Final Four.
Torculas hopes to carry on well after his breakout game. If he can do so, then UP knows it has another formidable weapon in its arsenal.
“Blessed lang ako na nagkaroon ako ng career high. Di ko naman siya iniisip. I’m just focused sa goal namin for the team. Siyempre, nakaka-boost siya ng confidence. Nakaka-boost siya ng confidence and kumbaga, dadalhin ko yung confidence na yun every game,” he said.
