There are certain athletes whose names are forever linked together.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen the likes of Robert Bolick and CJ Perez; Dave Ildefonso and CJ Cansino; and Camille Clarin and Kent Pastrana.
Now, one can add Aldous Torculas and James Payosing to that list.
But unlike Bolick-Perez, Ildefonso-Cansino, and Clarin-Pastrana, Torculas and Payosing aren’t rivals.
Instead, it was two coincidental transfers—what many have called a “trade”—that will forever connect their careers.
In a surprise move, Payosing, a former San Beda Red Cub, transferred to University of the Philippines.
Just a day later, Torculas, a former UP Integrated School Jr. Maroon, made the decision to transfer to San Beda—about a month after he officially left UP.
Though their decisions came at nearly the same time, the reasons behind their transfers were different.
For Payosing, it was about challenging himself at the highest level of collegiate basketball in the Philippines.
“Hindi ko talaga inisip na lumipat but suddenly, biglaan lang din na may opportunity na dumating,” said Payosing during UP’s contract signing with PUMA, the school’s new outfitter for the next three UAAP seasons, held Saturday morning at SM North Edsa.
“Nag-isip ako for a few months and tinake ko yung opportunity to go to UP.”
Meanwhile, Torculas saw the move to the NCAA as a chance to grow both as a player and a student-athlete.
“Gusto ko talaga ma-develop yung game ko at gusto ko rin ma-explore kung ano pa yung mga kaya ko gawin sa court,” explained the 6-foot-4 forward.
“Isa rin sa mga goal ko is matulungan yung team and makuha yung trust nila.”
Both Torculas and Payosing are collegiate champions, and both hope to bring the winning mentality they cultivated at their former schools to their new homes.
During UP’s championship run in UAAP Season 87, Torculas averaged 3.87 points and 2.33 rebounds per game.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“San Beda ang napili ko kasi nakikita ko na may winning culture sila,” said Torculas.
“Nakausap ko rin yung mga kaibigan ko sa Beda about Coach Yuri (Escueta) and sa tingin ko matutulungan ako ni Coach Yuri para ma-develop pa.”
Payosing, on the other hand, was a key figure in San Beda’s NCAA Season 99 championship run, where he averaged 8.48 points and 7.7 rebounds per game en route to winning Finals MVP honors.
“Excited ako pero for this year, I’ll focus muna on improvements and adopt the system of UP for next year. Gusto ko din ma-build yung chemistry with the other players na nagre-residency,” said Payosing.
Interestingly, the two recently suited up together for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 during the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Asia Pacific Stop.
(C) SBP
Now, they’ll be representing different schools once more — but both aim to bring glory to their new teams.
“Siguro enjoy the culture kasi for sure matutuwa siya sa UP, lalo na yung support din ng community,” Torculas advised Payosing.
“Embrace lang niya yung pagiging Bedista. Beda is a champion team at may champion culture. I hope he tries his best to win the championship,” said Payosing in return.
Both Payosing and Torculas will have to sit out one year before becoming eligible to play next season.
