Another Bullpup has chosen to become a Bulldog.
Floor general Ernest “Janjan” Felicilda has enrolled with National University. He will play for the school come the UAAP Season 84 tournament.
And for the 19-year-old native of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, he decided to stay in NU because of the familiarity.
“Siguro po ‘yung puso ko kasi nasa NU po talaga.
“Mas komportable po ako sa NU, sa mga tao, sa surroundings dahil kakilala ko na po. Hindi na bago sa akin yung NU,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
The other school that tried to recruit him was University of the Philippines, a school that has his former teammates in Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and Terence Fortea.
Helping him make this decision was his fellow Bullpups in Steve Nash Enriquez, Karl Gloria, PJ Palacielo, and Reyland Torres.
“Malaking bagay yun kasi lagi ko sila kasama at dahil kababayan ko sila. Komportable ako na magstay at makasama ko silang muli.”
Felicilda studied in NU for his secondary schooling, playing there for three seasons.
In his Grade 11 year, the 5-foot-7 guard normed 6.13 points, 4.06 rebounds, 3.44 assists, and 1.38 assists per game.
Also joining the Bullpups quartet in NU are the likes of Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Jiam Quiambao – all of whom they have battled with either in the UAAP or the NBTC.
“Sobrang laking bagay ‘yun sa amin kasi naglaban-laban na kami at alam na namin paano kami maglaro,” said Felicilda.
“Ang challenge lang namin is ‘yung pa’no maging isa at magsama-sama sa court.”
Heading into the new UAAP season, Felicilda looks to prove that he can be the lead floor general of a team, along with his good pal Enriquez.
“Sobrang excited ako kasi ‘yung last year ko sa high school hindi natuloy.
“Ngayon, gusto kong matutunan ‘yung maging leader sa court. ‘Yun ‘yung trabaho ko as a point kasi po eh. Gusto ko ma-improve ‘yun sa first year ko,” he said.