JARED Bahay, the No. 1 under-19 player in the Philippines for two years in a row, feels he's right where he belongs: Ateneo.
The top prospect coming out of high school according to the National Basketball Training Center is still wearing the blue and white he has worn for the past several years at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, only now, as a full-fledged Blue Eagle.
"It's the same system. It's the same Jesuit school. And alaga kami ng mga Jesuit. Mahal nila kami," he said as he finally moved from Cebu to Manila following his graduation this week.
Rivals - even in recruitment
Bahay's choice to stay in the way of 'Magis' didn't come without trials and tribulations, however, as he had to spurn the University of the Philippines to remain at Ateneo.
Back in 2023, the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout committed to the Fighting Maroons right before his final year in high school. Once his last season as a Magis Eagle in the CESAFI Juniors wrapped up, however, he decommitted and decided to head towards the Jesuit-run institution in Quezon City.
READ: UP Maroons blame 'outside forces' for Jared Bahay change of heart
Of course, State U was left scrambling - its supposed point guard of the future playing instead for its modern-day rival.
That's exactly why Bahay expects the opposite of a warm welcome when he meets with UP for the first time on Saturday in the Filoil EcoOil 17th Preseason Cup.
"Siyempre, expected na magiging hard sila sa'kin kasi sa nangyari. But all good, all good," he said.
"Gusto ko silang makalaban. Excited ako."
'J-House' was NOT on fire
To try and silence the sure-to-be emotional Fighting Maroon faithful, however, the 5-foot-9 playmaker knows full well he has to do better than his one-point, one-turnover showing in Ateneo's 46-65 loss at the hands of FEU on Friday.
To be clear, his teammates didn't fare any better as Chris Koon and Sean Tuano were the only ones in double-digits, each with 11 points. In all, the Blue Eagles missed 54 of their 68 field goal attempts and only converted 12 of their 23 free throws.
The Tamaraws were also misfiring from deep, but made the most of their shots up close for 38 points in the paint. Gambian big Mo Konateh also found no match inside for an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double, as they charged to a bounce back win that improved their record to 3-1.
"Same mindset lang. Forget this one. Move on and get ready for tomorrow," said Bahay after going 0-of-9 from the field in 16 minutes of play.
Man for others, through and through
Win or lose against UP, however, Bahay is adamant that Ateneo is the school he chooses - and will continue to choose.
"Siyempre, long-time dream ko na maging part ako nito (Ateneo's athletics and academics). It's an honor," he said.
"I think I realized na this path that I took now is better for me and my family. That's it."
And already feeling at home, he believes that, funnily enough, there's nowhere to go but up for the Filoil Preseason's lone winless team.
"To the Ateneo community, thank you always for the support. Kahit (itong) preseason lang, yung mga nandito pa rin, thank you. For sure, simula lang 'to," he said.
"I promise to bring you championships."
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