John Lloyd Clemente will no longer be the lone Kapampangan student-athlete at National University.
In a span of one week, the Bulldogs were able to secure the commitment of three players who will boost their rebuild in former Adamson Baby Falcon Jake Figueroa and La Salle Greenies Jolo Manansala and Jiam Quiambao.
Of course, much is known about the partnership between Manansala and Quiambao. The two were part of the St. Augustine Institute that topped the second division of the National Basketball Training Center back in 2019 before transferring to LSGH.
“Of course, I’m so excited dahil simula nung nasa Pampanga kami and umabot sa Manila, teammate ko na siya,” Angeles City-born Manansala said about Minalin-raised Quiambao.
“Hanggang mag-college kami, magkasama pa rin kami ‘di ba? And alam namin sa sarili namin kung ano ang matutulong namin sa team.”
But 19-year-old Figueroa also has a lot of history with fellow 19-year-old Manansala and 20-year-old Quiambao.
During intertown games in Pampanga, 6-foot-3 forward Figueroa and 6-foot Quiambao were always in the same team since their barangays were just 15 minutes away.
“Si Jiam, magkalapit lang barangay namin eh, tapos lagi kami teammates sa intertown,” recalled Figueroa, who was born in Bacolor but raised in Minalin.
“Siyempre masaya dahil nabigyan kami ulit ng chance magkasama sa isang team,” added Quiambao.
“Three months kami nagkasama ni Jake dati but full of happiness talaga siya.”
On the other hand, Figueroa and 6-foot-4 winger Manansala always figured in pick-up games before the pandemic began.
“Si Jolo naman, lagi ko kasama sa mga laro laro yan dati,” shared Figueroa.
Now, the trio get to play together on the biggest of stages — the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
All three know that there will be pressure on this batch of Bulldogs, who are trying to end their four-season Final Four drought. But for them, integrating themselves into the team that is full of Bullpups won’t be a problem.
“Siguro, ‘yung chemistry namin kahit papano meron na,” said Figueroa.
“Masasabi ko lang is sobrang saya kasi parang iba ‘yung feeling kapag mga kaprobinsya mo ‘yung mga nagiging kakampi mo eh,” added Manansala.
Some might call them the modern-day version of the ‘Pinatubo Trio’ — a special trio composed of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Ronald Pascual that led San Sebastian to an NCAA championship in the late 2000s. But for them, they would rather be known for who they are.
Triple J. — Jake, Jolo, and Jiam.
