In a highly anticipated match during the 2023 FilOil Preseason Cup, Reyland Torres and Janjan Felicilda had a chance to confront their former team, National University on Saturday. It was a significant moment for both players, who transferred to University of the Philippines a year ago.
For Torres, the opportunity to face their former teammates brought back a wave of happiness and nostalgia.
“Siyempre, masaya kasi alam mo ‘yun parang dating mong kakampi, makakalaban mo na ngayon,” said Torres. “Pero ‘yung parang pinagsamahan niyo sa ensayo, sa laro niyo dati, ang saya pa rin balik-balikan ‘yun.
“Masaya ako na nakalaban namin sila at masaya ako na nanalo kami,” he added, as the Fighting Maroons triumphed over the Bulldogs with a score of 72-65.
Felicilda shared the same sentiments as Torres and echoed his thoughts about the sentimental reunion with their former teammates.
“Masaya lang kasi ‘yun nga parang nakalaban ko sila again, tapos na-miss ko [rin] lang sila, expressed Felicilda.
“Tas ‘yun nga parang wala naman sama ng loob, kumbaga, masaya namin kami sa isa’t isa kung ano ‘yung mga desisyon namin.”
Despite starting the game, both Felicilda and Torres failed to score any points. However, their contributions to the team extend far beyond individual statistics.
Torres and Felicilda both came from the renowned Nazareth School program when Goldwin Monteverde served as the head coach.
When Jeff Napa took the helm at National University, the two players decided to continue their college basketball journey there.
However, a month after UAAP Season 84, both Torres and Felicilda made the decision to transfer and join the Fighting Maroons.
Despite their departure, they have maintained constant communication with their former teammates at NU.
“Oo, lagi naman kami nag usap kami ng mga teammates ko dati, lalo na sila Nash, Jolo [Manansala], Jake [Figueroa], [John] Lloyd [Clemente], sila Mike [Malonzo] lagi kami nag uusap ‘tas kamustahan,” Torres shared.
“Yung mga teammates ko, lalo na si Nash kasi matagal na kami nagsama ni Nash, so ‘yun nga before game and after naguusap kami,” continued Felicilda who was with Enriquez since high school.
Torres and Felicilda harbor no ill feelings toward their former head coach. Torres, standing at 6-foot-1, expressed gratitude for the support and guidance he received from Napa, acknowledging that the Bulldogs played a significant role in his life.
“Si Coach Jeff naman okay naman siya, sila coach Jeff naman alam mo naman ‘yun na mabait naman talaga ‘yun,” said Torres who hails from Negros Occidental
“Tas ‘yun nga masaya din ako ‘tas [thankful] din ako na naging part din sila sa akin sa mga tinuro nila.”
Meanwhile, Felicilda expressed his hope that Napa is content with the decisions they made last year. He also expressed his pride in NU for its accomplishments this year.
“Siguro naman happy naman si coach kung ano ‘yung desisyon namin, so sana nga ‘yun nga kung ano man ‘yung [outcome], masaya naman ako sa kanila kung ano ‘yung ma-achieve nila sa mga games pa,” said Felicilda, a native of Agusan del Sur.
