Two Greenies have decided to become Bulldogs.
La Salle Green Hills’ Pampangueno duo of Jolo Manansala and Jiam Quiambao have decided to commit to National University.
For the 19-year-old Manansala, he felt that the Bulldogs program being run by Jeff Napa is the perfect fit for him.
“For me, parang mas nakikita ko sa NU na doon magagamit ‘yung talent ko. That’s why I choose NU po,” said Manansala.
“Also Coach Jeff told me na I could fit sa system nila.“
Quiambao, on the other hand, shared that NU was his dream school.
“Ang NU, isa ‘yan sa mga dream school ko.
“Kaya nung nabigyan ako ng opportunity para makapaglaro at makapag-aral dun, grinab ko na,” said the 20-year-old Quiambao.
Both Manansala and Quiambao only played one year in LSGH.
Manansala, a 6-foot-4 winger, normed 8.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile Quiambao, a 6-foot combo guard, averaged 8.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest.
The two steered the Junior Blazers to a fourth-place finish in NCAA Season 95.
However, the ongoing pandemic forced the league to scrap the juniors tournament of Season 96.
Of course, the two were afraid that no school would recruit them. Fortunately for them, Napa and his staff came knocking.
That is why they will forever be grateful to NU.
“Sobrang kinabahan ako dahil siyempre pandemic tayo ngayon, tapos walang tryouts sa mga schools,” recalled Quiambao.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga coaches namin sa Pampanga na hindi nila kami pinabayaan kahit may pandemic. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa NU sa tiwala na binigay nila sa akin.”
“Well sobrang grateful ko kasi NU was the first school to approach me. Kahit na may pasok pa kami kinausap na ako ni Coach Jeff,” added Manansala.
The two feel excited to once again play alongside each other albeit in a different school. Both Manansala and Quiambao started together in St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga before transferring to LSGH.
And they look to do one thing in NU — to win a championship.
“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.”
Both Manansala and Quiambao will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 84. They will join the likes of Reyland Torres, PJ Palacielo, Karl Gloria, and Steve Nash Enriquez as the rookies of the Bulldogs.
