BUOYED by a surprising Final Four stint in the last UAAP cage wars, National University is not done bolstering its line-up next season.
Guards RJ Colonia and Pervy Timbang of the Bullpups have committed to suit up for the Bulldogs in the league’s 86th season later this year.
The decisions of the two blue chip recruits pleased NU coach Jeff Napa no end.
“Again, nagpapasalamat kami sa families nina RJ and Pervy na patuloy ang tiwala nila sa NU,” Napa said.
“Ganito naman iyong gusto naming i-build na culture talaga, na from juniors to seniors, iisa lang ang identity ng Bulldogs,” he added.
Colonia and Timbang were teammates of Reinhard Jumamoy, the No. 3-ranked high school player, according to the National Basketball Training Center, in the Nazareth School of National University’s title triumphs in the last UAAP juniors’ tourney and in the Smart-NBTC National Finals.
Colonia was also an NBTC All-Star and was rated as the No. 17 prospect in the high school ranks.
The 6-foot-1 slasher averaged 13.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in his first and only season with the Bullpups.
“Sa NU na po ako nagsimula kaya gusto ko lang pong ituloy mag-trabaho para sa Bulldogs,” Colonia said.
“May tiwala po ako sa sistema ni coach Jeff at ang laki ng tiwalang binigay nila sa akin kaya gusto ko lang suklian lahat iyon.”
Timbang, a 6-foot-2 defensive ace, had norms of 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds 2.3, assists, and close to a steal, all while guarding the opponent’s best players like Adamson High School’s Peter Rosillo, Ateneo High School’s Lebron Nieto, and Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Janrey Pasaol.
They will boost an already-formidable guard rotation for the Bulldogs that includes Jumamoy, Kean Baclaan, Steve Nash Enriquez, Jake Figueroa, John Galinato, and fellow newcomer Bobby Mark Parks.
Last season, NU reached the semifinals for the first time since 2015 with a 9-5 record before falling to eventual bridesmaid University of the Philippines.
The Bulldogs are bidding to end a nine-year title drought.
