Two former junior players will fill up the manpower needs of the National University Bulldogs in the coming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes, members of the Adamson juniors’ squad that won the recent UAAP junior crown, are coming aboard.
The two have replaced one of their prized cagers, Kean Baclaan, who moved over to the La Salle Green Archers’ camp.
The Bulldogs reached the Final Four in the last two seasons and want to be back for their third season under Jeff Napa’s coaching.
They have remained a playoff contender with their intact core, led by Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Reinhard Jumamoy.
“A big step forward na ‘yung nagawa natin nitong nakaraan and sana, sa pagpapatuloy na pag-mature nina Jake, Nash, at Reinhard pati rito sa mga bagong promising player natin, maka-move forward pa tayo lalo,” said NU coach Jeff Napa.
Garcia and Reyes were part of the squad that led Adamson High School to its first crown in since 1993.
With Baclaan now undergoing residency with De La Salle University, the leadership of the Bulldogs is now in the hands of Enriquez and Jumamoy.
“Malaking addition ‘yung nakuha natin ngayon kasi itong dalawang ‘to, ‘di lang magagaling na player, kungdi mga winners pa,” said Napa.
Garcia, a 5-foot-11 guard, averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals.