From UP Teammates to NCAA Rivals: Walker, Torculas Meet Again

When Letran and San Beda meet, the rivalry is usually enough to make the matchup special.

But Monday’s showdown comes with another storyline as former UP teammates Denzil Walker and Aldous Torculas find themselves on opposite sides of the NCAA’s oldest rivalry.

Before joining the Knights and Red Lions, Walker and Torculas shared the same locker room at UP and even won a championship together. Now, they will face each other for the first time as NCAA rivals.

Both players have also made strong starts to their NCAA seasons.

Walker wasted no time making his mark for Letran. The explosive forward was named the NCAA Player of the Week in the first week of Season 102 after averaging 23.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks.

Torculas, meanwhile, has quickly become an important piece for San Beda, bringing energy on both ends of the floor. He turned in one of his best performances of the season against JRU, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block to help the Red Lions beat the Heavy Bombers.

But for Walker, facing San Beda does not change how Letran prepares.

The Knights take every opponent seriously, and the Red Lions are no different.

“We take all of our opponents seriously. So, we’ve already been preparing heavily for our first four games. So, nothing different with San Beda,” Walker told All-Star.

Then there is the added storyline of facing someone he used to call a teammate.

For Walker, seeing both of them develop and make their mark in the NCAA is something he appreciates. But once they step on the court, it will be all about competing.

“To compete. All of the things that we talked about when we were both deciding that we’re going to transfer is coming to fruition for him and for me. So, I’m proud of Aldous, nothing personal, but for sure we’re going to compete when we play them.” 

Torculas shares the same mindset.

Despite knowing Walker well from their time at UP, the San Beda big man is reminding himself to treat Monday’s matchup like any other game.

“Lagi ko ni-reremind yung sarili ko na it’s just another game, ‘di ko dapat binibigyan ng pressure yung game.” Torculas told All-Star.

Still, the matchup carries a different meaning for Torculas.

Their shared history at UP makes Monday’s game more personal for the San Beda big man. 

“Syempre si Denzil, he’s like my brother na rin. Iba kasi yung relationship mo sa mga teammates mo lalo na pag nag-champion kayo together. I’m really excited for us kasi we’ve been waiting for this kind of opportunity.”

But once the game begins, the friendship will have to take a backseat.

For two former teammates, Monday will be a different kind of reunion — this time, with Walker and Torculas trying to beat each other on opposite sides of the Letran-San Beda rivalry.