Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Felicilda, Torres know leaving NU, joining UP were risks


University of the Philippines had a loaded lineup last UAAP season. But the reigning champions are not resting on their laurels.

When the Diliman-based side debuted in the PG Flex-UBCBL Invitational Tournament against Philippine Christian University on Tuesday, there were two additional names that stood out as they came on as a surprise.

Social media went abuzz when the cat — or dogs, shall we say — went out of the bag that former National University standouts Reyland Torres and Janjan Felicilda were in the lineup and, consequently, were able to play for the Fighting Maroons.

Both Felicilda and Torres were nothing short of excited to be given this ‘second chance’ back with their family. A family that includes coach Goldwin Monteverde, Carl Tamayo, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Cyril Gonzales, and Terrence Fortea.

2022-UCBL-UP-vs-PCU-Reyland-Torres Felicilda, Torres know leaving NU, joining UP were risks Basketball News UCBL UP  - philippine sports news“Siyempre, sobrang saya,” the 6-foot-1 Torres said.

“Kasi, magkakasama kami ulit parang ā€˜yung family na nabuo namin sa Bullpups, sa high school parang nabuo ulit; parang naging buo ulit. Parang naging masaya ako dahil dun.”

2022-UCBL-UP-vs-PCU-Janjan-Felicilda Felicilda, Torres know leaving NU, joining UP were risks Basketball News UCBL UP  - philippine sports news“Masaya po, siyempre, nakasama ko ulit ā€˜yung mga kasama ko, lalo na sila Gerry, Harold, Cyril,” the 5-foot-7 Felicilda added.

“Siyempre, nakasama ko na rin uli si Coach Gold, sobrang saya po sa pakiramdam.

That excitement was evident on the court as the two former Bulldogs also produced quality minutes for their new team in their first game in a Maroons uniform.

Torres ended up with five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, along with lots of the intangibles on the court in his 19 minutes on the floor in UP’s 102-73 win over PCU. This is something he wanted to bring from Jhocson to Diliman.

#ReadMore  Renzo Subido credits Bolick's tips, Jarencio's trust for adjustment to NorthPort

He said, “Siguro, ma-expect ng UP saā€™kin tiyaka ā€˜yun ngang team is siguro yung defense and hustle, tiyaka score. Alam ko naman sa sarili ko kaya ko naman umi-score, pero una pa rin ā€˜yung defense, tiyaka sa hustle. ā€˜Yun lang at gagawin ko lahat para sa team.”

For his part, Felicilda also stood his ground as an able backup point guard to JD Cagulangan and finished his debut with two points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in his 10 minutes of action.

The road back to their family was not as easy as it seemed as Torres shared that leaving their home was a difficult decision.2022-UCBL-UP-vs-PCU-Goldwin-Monteverde Felicilda, Torres know leaving NU, joining UP were risks Basketball News UCBL UP  - philippine sports news

The guard out of Bago City, Negros Occidental Torres admitted, “Siguro nung una bago ako umalis sa NU, parang nag-dadalawang isip din ako. Kasi, siyempre, mahal ko rin ā€˜yung NU. Dun din kasi ako nag grow as a player, as a person, and nag baka sakali rin ako kay Coach Gold kung puwede ako sa kanya mag-tryout parang ganon.

“Thankful po, kasi si Coach Gold, kasi parang nakita niya ako na puwede pa ako idagdag sa team nila, and ā€˜yun thankful ako nadagdag ako sa team.”

Felicilda echoed the same sentiment but added that he knew deep inside that coach Monteverde had their backs whatever the case may be.

“ā€˜Yun lang parang nag tiwala lang naman ako kay Coach Gold. Kasi ā€˜yun nga kahit anong mangyari nandiyan naman siya para saā€™min ā€˜yun lang po,” the Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur native said.

Now that Torres and Felicilda had donned the maroon and green (and black), they bring with them what they have learned from coach Goldwin, which is something the Fighting Maroons have done and plan to do in the years to come.

“Yun nga, ā€˜yung sabi ni Coach Gold, yung sinasabi niya saā€™min na, ‘Kahit gaano kahirap, patuloy lang po lumaban sa buhay.'”

And Torres and Felicilda were happy to see that “never give up” mentality with their new family in UP.

#ReadMore  Matthew Wright almost suited up for La Salle

“Sobrang saya. Kasi, sa mga teammate ko ang sarap sa pakiramdam na makasama sila ulit, tapos ā€˜yun nga sobrang talented nung team. ‘Tas di sumusuko, ā€˜yun ā€˜yung masarap na pakiramdam,” Felicilda shared on his first dibs as a Fighting Maroon.

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


You May Also Like

Basketball

The dawn of 2024 heralds a new era for University of the Philippines as it proudly announces its partnership with the Bank of the...

Basketball

University of the Philippines president Jijil Jimenez hosted a significant meeting on Monday. The gathering brought together key officials, including University of the Philippines...

Basketball

Another one of Mapua Universityā€™s prodigal sons is coming home. Cyril Gonzales has left the University of the Philippines and is set to be...

Basketball

After a season at University of the Philippines, Luis Pablo has decided to come home to his green roots. The NCAA Season 98 Juniors...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan has scored a blue-chip recruit. Chris Hubilla will no longer head to University of the Philippines for college, instead committing...

Basketball

Elite programs always have a Plan B. Having missed out on Jared Bahay, University of the Philippines swiftly moved on as it was able...

Basketball

After a long hard thought, Miguel Yniguez has finally decided to move on from San Francisco State. The 6-foot-5 Filipino-American winger announced his decision...

Basketball

Jared Bahay is no longer part of University of the Philippinesā€™ plans. The 5-foot-9 floor general out of Cebu has notified UP that he...

Advertisement