They were foes on the basketball court two nights ago, but Taylor Taliulu and Steven Lakalaka agreed on one thing during a postgame conversation: They might do great in green and black.

Lakalaka, a Punahou running back, and Taliulu, a Kamehameha safety, have reversed field on their prior oral commitments to other schools and gave the University of Hawaii their commitments Sunday.

Lakalaka, a Star-Advertiser all-state first-team running back, had orally committed to UCLA last summer and refused to budge despite a sizable number of interested BCS programs. Taliulu, an all-state second-team safety, was an early commit to Washington State.

Everything changed, however, after they talked story on Saturday, moments after No. 1 Punahou edged No. 3 Kamehameha 59-57 on the hardwood.

"I was feeling Washington State. I was set on going away," said Taliulu, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior who also plays guard on the basketball team. "But me and Steven went to UH this weekend on our official (visit). We talked with Benny, too."

Benny is none other than Benetton Fonua, the state defensive player of the year from Kahuku who committed to UH a few weeks ago.

Hawaii offered Taliulu a scholarship two weeks ago, he said.

"I talked with the tight ends coach, Philip Rauscher, and Coach (Norm) Chow on the same day," he said. "They offered me on that day."

Lakalaka recently saw UCLA’s staff get fired, including former Hawaii high school standout Inoke Breckterfield, who is now at Pitt. But the prospect of staying home and uniting with other prep standouts was enticing.

"We want to start from ground zero and build up the tradition on what people have done before," he said.

Chow and assistant coach Keith Uperesa made a major impact on Lakalaka, who plans to go into the medical field.

"They took me to the medical school and I was really impressed. The education is there," said Lakalaka, who hopes to participate in a program that will reach out to Polynesia.

"That really moved me," he said.

Lakalaka’s power running and pass catching skills could be a great fit in Chow’s offense.

"All of the local players who are going to UH, we’re all excited. We want to make a difference. I can’t wait to be a Warrior," he said. "I’m happy."