SINCE moving up to FEU's seniors squad, Jorick Bautista was always one of the more reserved players.
Even as the once-understudy to the likes of RJ Abarrientos, L-Jay Gonzales, and Xyrus Torres, Bautista’s role started and stopped at getting buckets.
But now, a lot more is expected of the 5-foot-11 guard.
Aside from remaining one of the main options, especially now Veejay Pre has packed his bags and gone to the University of the Philippines, he also has been given the role of temporary team captain starting with the ongoing 2025 Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
This appointment didn’t come as a surprise, though, as according to Bautista, his leadership had been tested since the previous season.
“Siguro nag-expect na sila kasi napakita ko na since last year na kailangan kong mas lalong mag-lead bilang kuya,” he said.
It has been a longstanding tradition for the Tamaraws to award the skippership to their most senior and graduating player. And for this current squad, by logic, the position should go to their forward Miguel Ona,
But with the role instead going to Bautista, not only is he being challenged to be a better leader, but also a more vocal teammate.
According to the Morayta guard, he has long kept his demeanor reserved within the team, something that he no longer can afford to do now.
“Maging vocal lang talaga kasi ‘yun yung problema ko dati, 'di ako masalitang player. Kaya ayun yung wino-work on ko hanggang ngayon,” he said.
“Sa’kin sila tumitingin, eh. Sa akin nagsisimula lahat — sa loob at sa labas ng court. ‘Yun ang pinagtatrabahuan ko, para sa sarili ko pati para sa team ko,” he added.
Kuya duties
With Bautista serving as captain, one of his responsibilities will be keeping FEU's young guns in holster.
From last year's impact rookies in Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa to this year's promising prospect in Liam Salangsang, the Davao native has been a steadfast source of guidance.
“As a kuya, gina-guide ko lang sila kung ano yung dapat gawin. Kung masyadong intense yung game, ako yung nagmo-motivate at nagpapakalma sa kanila kasi mas na-experience ko yung mga ganun,” he said.
Among all rookies and sophomores, his synergy has been most natural with Pasaol, who acts as his running mate, especially during crunch time.
And aside from sharing the same hometown, both have shared the court before as Baby Tamaraws.
“Kami ni Janrey, high school magkasama na kami dito sa FEU, kaya basic na lang sa amin yung ganyan. Alam na namin kung kanino ibibigay, alam na namin kung ako muna, alam ko rin ‘pag siya na muna,” he explained.
From silent to steady
Since taking the reigns as skipper in the wake of Royce Alforque’s graduation and yet another injury to Cholo Añonuevo, the 24 year old is glad to see steady improvement within the team.
As he put it, “Dahan-dahan kaming nag-iimprove, which is maganda kasi maraming nagagamit, maraming nabibigyan ng chance, lumalim yung bench namin, madaming nag-step up.”
With the youth and inexperience of the Tamaraws, they are in dire need of a steady hand in the midst of a chaotic rebuild.
Fortunately for them, Bautista is more than up to the task - whether or not his captaincy is formalized for UAAP Season 88.
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