When Vince Reyes made the move from Adamson University’s champion high school squad to National University’s senior team two years ago, he did not expect that his collegiate debut would come in the 3×3 tournament of Season 88.
Reyes, a key member of the Baby Falcons’ Season 86 championship squad, marked his return to the UAAP in fitting fashion, helping the Bulldogs secure a third-place finish through standout performances in the competition held last week at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
For those who have followed his journey since his Adamson days, seeing him back on the court was a poignant moment — a powerful reminder of a career that very nearly ended before this latest chapter could even begin.
He was battling chronic sciatica.
“Ano kasi ‘yun eh, off-season namin,” he explained. “Adamson pa lang ako na nararamdaman ko na medyo sumasakit lagi yung likod ko. Hindi siya tolerable. May mga araw na hindi ako nakakalakad. Nung nasa Korea kami, nag-gi-gym kami nung umaga, nag-kettlebells; after kong mag-ganun, parang may biglang nag-crack sa likod ko tapos hindi na ako nakatayo.
“Bigla na lang ako natumba noong saan ako nakapuwesto. Akala ko normal na makakabalik ako next day, pero after nun, hindi ko madiretso ang tuhod ko tapos nalaman ko na sciatica na pala. Pag-uwi namin dito, nagpa-MRI ako, tapos sinabi ng doktor na malaki daw yung tsansa na kailangan akong operahan. Walang kasiguraduhan daw kung makakabalik ako o ano ang puwedeng mangyari. Thankful naman ako na nakabalik ako kahit papaano.”
Alongside Paul Francisco, Tebol Garcia, Jolo Navarro, and Nat Tulabut, Reyes helped end a two-year drought for the Bulldogs, clinching the program’s first podium finish in the men’s division since Season 86.
During the awarding ceremony, the bronze medal shone like gold for the 6-foot-3 forward.
Recovering from an injury that once left him unable to stand required more than physical rehabilitation; it demanded mental strength that was evident throughout the tournament.
“Mahigit din isang taon, pero noong nafi-feel ko na okay na ako, talagang nilakasan ko ang loob ko na makabalik para sa sarili ko at para sa pangarap ko,” said the Caloocan City native.
There was a poetic symmetry in NU’s victory over Adamson for the bronze.
It felt as though fate had scripted the matchup to allow Reyes to close a painful chapter against his former school, while opening a new one defined by resilience and redemption.
Yet despite the significance of the podium finish, the competitor in him admitted he had aimed higher.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Kasi noong una naming nakalaban sila, lamang kami, tapos bigla na lang kaming natalo sa last seconds ng overtime,” he said. “Siyempre, kahit magkakakilala kami, nandun pa rin yung competitiveness namin na willing kaming manalo—yung bawat team. Masaya pa rin ako na yung dati kong kakampi, kalaban ko na.”
“Thankful pa rin ako dahil nakaabot kami dito. ‘Yun nga lang, pero sayang eh. Alam namin na kaya namin makaabot sa top, pero ito lang talaga yung naabutan namin — pero thankful pa rin ako na nandito kami ngayon.”
Now that the former Baby Falcon has completed his return through the 3×3 circuit, his focus shifts to Season 89. He is eager to join Coach Jeff Napa’s Bulldogs, a team hungry for redemption after falling short of in the Final Four just months ago.
Having endured the fast-paced and physically demanding nature of 3×3 — which he describes as even more grueling than the traditional game — Reyes believes he is now battle-tested and ready to resume his 5-on-5 career.
“Sa amin, ano naman eh — kumbaga, halos lahat ng core namin nawala: sila Jake (Figueroa), Jolo (Manansala), at Nash (Enriquez). Pero lagi nga sinasabi ni Coach na different era, different story lagi,” said Reyes.
“May nawala man, nandun yung team para masolusyonan yung wala. Siguro ngayon, mas kailangan naming magtulungan kasi wala kaming superstar. Kaya namin maging superstar bawat isa sa team namin.”
