MANILA – Negrense Reyland Torres is more than excited with his transfer to reigning UAAP men’s basketball champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons after spending a year with National University Bulldogs.
According to the Bago City, Negros Occidental native, he was happy to be given the opportunity to be under head coach Goldwyn Monteverde, Torres’ coach when he was still with NU Bullpups.
The UP transfer also allowed Torres to reunite with some high school teammates in Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano, Ernest Felicilda, Carl Tamayo, Terrence Fortea, and Cyril Gonzales.
“Sobrang saya,” the 6-foot-1 Torres said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. “Magkakasama kami ulit parang ‘yung family na nabuo namin sa Bullpups.”
Torres was one of the standouts for the Bulldogs in UAAP Season 84; he averaged 7.86 points, 2.43 rebounds, and 1.29 steals per game in his rookie year.
Torres admitted that it was a difficult decision for him to leave the Bulldogs as he is going to the Fighting Maroons camp with plenty of recruits here and abroad but he is ready to prove himself.
“Nung bago ako umalis sa NU, parang nag-dadalawang isip din ako. Kasi, siyempre, mahal ko rin ‘yung NU. Doon din kasi ako nag-grow as a player, as a person,” Torres said.
“Nag baka sakali rin ako kay Coach Gold kung puwede ako sa kanya mag-tryout and thankful po, kasi si Coach Gold parang nakita niya ako na puwede pa ako idagdag sa team nila,” he added.
Torres made his UP debut during Fighting Maroons’ PG Flex-UBCBL Invitational Tournament against Philippine Christian University where he finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
The Negrense winger, however, will still serve a one-year residency before suiting up for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball next year.
“Ang ma-expect ng UP sa’kin is yung defense and hustle, tiyak score. Alam ko naman sa sarili ko kaya ko naman umi-score, pero una pa rin ‘yung defense,” Torres said./PN
