Bulldogs land ex-Baby Falcons

National University found perfect replacements for star playmaker Kean Baclaan for Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament.

Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes, who played crucial roles in Adamson University's rise to the title in the high school division, formally expressed their commitment to see action for the Bulldogs in the coming season of the country's most prestigious collegiate league.

They will share the playmaking and scoring chores with Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez and Reinhard Jumamoy following the departure of Baclaan to De La Salle University.

NU head coach Jeff Napa expressed excitement over their latest recruits, saying that their skills and winning pedigree will be a major boost in their quest for the UAAP crown.

"They are major additions to our team. They are not just talented but winners as well," said Napa, who led the Bulldogs to a Final Four appearance in the previous season.

Two months ago, Garcia and Reyes helped the Baby Falcons win their first title since 1993 after crushing National University-Nazareth School in the best-of-three title showdown.

The 5-foot-11 Garcia averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals while the 6-foot-3 Reyes normed 12.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals in the previous UAAP wars.

Garcia is the No. 5 U19 player in the country based on the recent National Basketball Training Center ranking while Reyes is at No. 7.

"We made a big step forward previously and hopefully the development and maturity of Jake, Nash and Reinhard as well as other promising players will continue so that we can further move forward," said Napa, who is determined to give the school its first title in 10 years.