Cyril Gonzales makes u-turn, joins Tamayo, Abadiano in UP

Ex-Mapua guard Cyril Gonzales will not be returning home to National University.

With fellow Bullpups products Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano headed to University of the Philippines, the 6-foot gunslinger has decided to join them there as well.

Last March, Gonzales was supposed to head to transfer from Mapua to NU and join his former high school mentor Goldwin Monteverde.

“Noong nasa Mapua pa lang ako, kino-contact na ako ng UP. Option ko rin talaga mag-aral sa UP that time kasi magandang eskwelahan nga tsaka UAAP, pero hindi ko pinili kasi nga kinukuha din ako ni Coach Gold sa NU. Kaya ako nag-NU,” shared Gonzales, who was a starter for the UAAP Season 81 batch of Bullpups.

However, with Monteverde leaving NU, Gonzales had a change of heart. Fortunately, UP head coach Bo Perasol came calling.

And he can’t wait to run the floor once more with Tamayo and Abadiano once he serves up his residency and play in the UAAP Season 84 tournament.

“Sobrang saya kasi nagkakaintindihan kami sa loob at labas ng court,” expressed Gonzales about playing with his two friends once more.

“Kapag kasama ko silang dalawa, parang alam ko na gagawin ko eh. Alam ko na ‘yung role ko sa team, at nakakagaan sa loob ko ito dahil hindi ko inaasahan na magre-reunite rin kami one day.”

During the NCAA Season 95 tournament, Gonzales averaged solid numbers of 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest for Mapua.

The 20-year-old Gonzales still has four years of eligibility remaining.