ON the surface, it looked like a trade, but the truth is it wasn't.
There was no prior arrangement between San Beda and University of the Philippines regarding the transfer of former Red Lion James Payosing to University of the Philippines and former Fighting Maroon Aldous Torculas to the Red Lions.
So said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta, who cleared the air about the matter after the transfer of each player happened just a day apart.
READ UP already readying for post-'NU boys' era with Payosing transfer
“Sinong panalo?” Escueta asked in return when questioned if it was a trade between the two powerhouse school of the NCAA and UAAP, respectively.
“Sana may cash incentive, ano? Pero wala,” added Escueta in between laughs. “Parang naging trade, pero hindi siya trade.”
The 6-foot-4 Torculas will be coming over to the Red Lions’ den fresh from winning a UAAP men’s basketball championship with the Fighting Maroons in Season 87 by dethroning the De La Salle Green Archers.
READ UAAP champ Torcullas takes talent to San Beda
He won’t be playing for San Beda right away as he needs to serve a one-year residency before becoming eligible to play by Season 102 of the country’s Grand Old League.
But Escueta is grateful for the former Juniors Mythical Team member’s choice to wear the red and white in the NCAA after announcing his decision to leave State U.
“When he announced na lilipat siya ng NCAA, we were one of the schools na kinonsider niya, so we were very happy na he decided to go to San Beda. Sayang sana naging teammate sila ni James (Payosing), pero very happy ako and excited to have him in our team. We’re looking forward to working with him,” said Escueta, who also serves as one of the deputies of head coach Chot Reyes at TNT.
The first cousin of former PBA player and now Barangay Ginebra coach Olsen Racela already had talks with Torculas on what role he will play once he joins for the Mendiola-based school.
“Sinabi lang niya (Aldous) na yung last two years niya is for him to be able to play and maximize him playing in NCAA games, hopefully sa semis and finals. Of course, yung individual development niya ang unang tinanong niya, kung ano ang kailangan niyang i-develop,” shared Escueta.
“Tinanong ko siya kung ano ba ng goal niya. And sabi niya he wants to play in the 3 position which he thinks and I think, will help him in the next level of his career, yung true level niya at the small forward position. Very promising yung athleticism niya at yung agility niya, parang Calvin Oftana. Kailangan niya lang i-develop yung ball handling niya tsaka yung shooting niya.”
As for Payosing, who was Finals MVP when the Red Lions won the championship in Season 99, Escueta said the school was very grateful for his services and wishes him well in his playing career with UP.
“Sabi nga niya (Payosing) yung opportunity he wants to take advantage, and pag may ganung opportunities, siyempre for a player mahirap tanggihan,” said the San Beda coach.
“Kami naman hindi nagpipigil sa San Beda. As much as ayaw namin siyang umalis, hindi naman namin siya pipigilan.”
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