MANILA – National University Bulldogs quickly found guard replacements following the departure of Negrense Reyland Torres and Ernest Felicilda to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The Bulldogs recently secured the commitment of incoming rookie guard LA Casinillo, while also acquiring Donn Lim who was removed from De La Salle University’s Green Archers roster.
Casinillo, whose mother hails from Bacolod City, was a former CESAFI Juniors Most Valuable Player after playing a key role in Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s championship.
Casinillo was a former recruit by University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs but was unable to play a single game for them due to the cancellation of UAAP season because of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Malaking bagay na nakuha namin si LA dito sa NU Bulldogs kasi nawalan nga kami ng point guard sa pagalis ni (Felicilda),” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa in an interview with Tiebreaker Times.
Casinillo, who has been training in the United Kingdom over the past two years, is set to make his Bulldogs debut in the FilOil EcoOil Pre-season tournament and will be eligible for UAAP Season 85.
Also moving to the Bulldogs camp is former Green Archers reserve point guard Lim, who showed promise when he played for DLSU in the UAAP Season 84 3×3 basketball competition.
“Malaking bagay yung addition ni Donn sa amin kasi knockdown shooter siya. Yun yung kulang namin sa guard position,” said Napa. “We look forward to have him sa Season 86 since need pa niyang mag one-year residency.”
The 20-year-old Lim was a former standout of St. John’s Institute Falcons in Bacolod City before being recruited to Manila to play his remaining high school years with Chiang Kai Shek College.
Lim, however, was a non-factor in his two years with the Green Archers as he only played a total of six UAAP games before being removed recently due to arrival of more DLSU recruits./PN
