San Beda University’s Aldous Torculas against Jose Rizal University in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Marked with stains of blood on his uniform, Aldous Torculas once again rose to the occasion for San Beda University in heroic fashion.
In what was his first-ever rivalry game against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Torculas fired the game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation before adding two more in overtime to power San Beda to a 74-65 victory in NCAA Season 102 on Monday.
For Torculas, these moments are exactly what he envisioned after moving from University of the Philippines to Mendiola.
“Sobrang hirap pala manalo. Sobrang iba yung atmosphere, nararamdaman ko yung floor na gumagalaw,” an emotional Torculas said after firing 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. “I’m very happy and honored na makapag laro sa ganitong type ng game.”
Torculas was already a champion in the UAAP, but San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said these opportunities are new for his high-profile transferee.
Nonetheless, he remains unsurprised with how the former UP Fighting Maroon has been delivering for the Red Lions.
“Bata pa sa basketball ‘to,” quipped Escueta of Torculas, who already fired his career-high 29 points in their 65-62 win over Jose Rizal University earlier this season. “Nung nasa UP naman ‘to, in-out, in-out, so ngayon pa lang siya nakakalaro sa ganitong atmosphere na nasa kanya yung bola.”
“Pero yun naman ang reason why Aldous is here, to get the experience, the exposure. We know that he can play, and expected naman, the way he is playing right now,” added Escueta.
But while Torculas has shown signs of becoming San Beda’s new “King Lion,” Escueta said such labels do not paint the whole picture of how high the 6-foot-4 forward’s ceiling can be.
“He’s been playing well, but malaki pa yung potential ni Aldous to be even better,” said Escueta. “But this season is matagal pa. Makakakita pa siya ng different kinds of defense.”
What’s certain for Escueta, however, is that Torculas has exemplified what he asks from each and every Red Lion.
“Kayo na bahala kung sino magsabi kung sino ang ‘King Lion.’ Pero sa amin kasi, hindi namin iniisip yun,” he said. “Whoever steps up, ikaw ang ‘King Lion.’ The next game, whoever steps up, siya ang ‘King Lion.’ Yun lang naman yon.”