Nazareth standouts RJ Colonia, Pervy Timbang staying with NU Bulldogs

RJ Colonia with NU head coach Jeff Napa. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Nazareth School standouts RJ Colonia and Pervy Timbang are staying at National University ahead of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

Colonia and Timbang will beef up the guard rotation of the Bulldogs, following their impressive final playing year in high school, leading the Bullpups to a championship in the National Basketball Training Center National Finals and a silver medal in the Season 85 boys’ basketball tournament.

They will reunite with high school teammate, Reinhard Jumamoy who decided to continue playing for NU in college, with the three of them being eligible to play in Season 86 later this year.

The 6-foot-1 Colonia, who was also an NBTC All-Star and was the 17th-rated prospect coming out of HS, averaged 13.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in his first and only season in the juniors.

“I started with NU and I wanted to continue working for the Bulldogs. I trust the system of coach Jeff (Napa), who gives a huge trust in me. So I wanted to give back,” said Colonia in Filipino.

Pervy Timbang with NU head coach Jeff Napa. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The 6-foot-2 Timbang, who is known for his defense, tallied 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds 2.3, assists, and close to a steal last season.

“We’re thankful to the families of RJ and Pervy for trusting NU. This is the culture we want to build, having one identity for the Bulldogs from juniors to seniors,” said NU coach Jeff Napa in Filipino.

Colonia and Timbang will join NU holdovers Kean Baclaan, Steve Nash Enriquez, Jake Figueroa, John Galinato, and fellow newcomer Bobby Mark Parks.

The Nazareth School products will be a big boost for the Bulldogs, who are fresh from a 9-5 finish in Season 85 to return to the Final Four stage after a seven-year drought.