Over the last decade, the Nazareth School of National University Bullpups became the most influential high school team after dominating the competition not just in the domestic high school circuit but also in the region.
Under head coach Goldwin Monteverde, the trio of Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea made noise and led the team in capturing back-to-back titles in Season 81 and 82, respectively.
The core of that squad was expected to play for the Bulldogs in the seniors division until fate led them to take different paths.
Tamayo, Abadiano, and Fortea all followed Monteverde on his way to Diliman prior to Season 84. Another key player Kevin Quiambao chose to commit to De La Salle University and is expected to suit up in Season 85. Meanwhile, the other Bullpups in Janjan Felicilda, Reyland Torres, and Steve Nash Enriquez opted to stay put and play for the Bulldogs in the collegiate ranks.
On Thursday afternoon, the former Bullpups all took the court but found themselves on opposing benches this time around. Despite what happened, it was business as usual for Monteverde as there wasn’t any extra motivation for him in this game, only putting his focus on getting their second win of the season.
“Kung ano naman pinag-usapan namin sa past two games the same lang, kumbaga just need to prepare for the game, stick to the gameplan, kung ano plano ng team namin to win,” claimed the multi-titled high school coach after their 80-70 victory over NU.
In their game against the Bulldogs, Tamayo made his presence felt by producing 13 points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes and 47 seconds of action. Fortea added eight points, an assist, and a steal for UP while Abadiano contributed two points, two rebounds, and an assist of his own.
As a mentor to the young players, Monteverde asserted that he’s proud of the growth and success that were attained by all the players that he has previously coached at the high school level.
“For me, they all played well para sa’kin.
“Coach’s standpoint siyempre nakasama mo sila, to see them at this level, I’m really happy for them, for everybody even ‘yung mga kasama ko dito sa UP and before ‘yung mga nasa Chiang Kai and sa NU,” said Monteverde. “‘Pag nakikita ko sila, siyempre napag-uusapan lang naman namin dati ‘yan nung high school, you know, parang dream nila to go to another level, sa senior’s level, ngayong nandito na sila, pag nagpeperform sila even against us siyempre I’m happy for them na they made it here.”
On the other hand, coach Jeff Napa, who previously steered the Bullpups program to three titles, echoed the sentiment of Monteverde. Even though the core of the team didn’t choose to stay in NU, he is still proud of how his former players are performing in UP at the seniors level this season.
“Di naman sila kukunin ng UP kung hindi sila special eh diba?
“It just so happened lang na napunta sa kabila, suwerte ng UP napunta dun, kung dito napunta ‘yun at nag-stay rito sa NU baka ibang usapan din naman ‘yun diba?” the former King Bulldog stressed. “Again, masaya ako sa performance nila na galing sila from NU na lumipat ng UP. At least nakinabang ‘yung UP na galing sa NU. Different story naman kung nag-stay naman talaga ‘yung mga ‘yun eh.”
Still, Napa was able to get promising talents in the three Bullpups who chose to stay in Jhocson.
Against UP, Torres notched 10 points, five rebounds, and four steals while Felicilda added eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Enriquez contributed four points and three assists for the Bulldogs as well.
Napa, though, hopes that his young wards will continue to mature as the season progresses in order for them to be more competitive moving forward.
“Ako, I wish them luck lang naman sa kanila, at least nakita ko how they performed na. At least alam ko in the near future, once na mag-mature na rin ‘yung mga players ko, at least we can compete dun sa level na gusto naming ma-achieve.”
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