ADJUSTMENTS may be hard to come by for any rookie transitioning to the college game.
But for longtime friends Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, and Jedric Daa, their familiarity has worked in their favor as they try to bring their winning tradition from the high school level to the seniors team in Far Eastern University.
“Nag-champion kami sa juniors at gusto rin naming mag-champion sa college. Masaya kasi goal namin yun na magkakasama,” said Pre, the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year honors this UAAP Season 87.
It’s certainly a delight for the Tamaraw faithful to hear that their homegrown stars from FEU-Diliman are in unison in their quest to bring the team back to respectability in the hopes of eventually, taking the crown back to Morayta.
READ: Veejay is great, but don't forget Janrey also an FEU cornerstone
As good as they are individually, what makes the trio special is how there’s no jealousy, knowing that their paths to greatness necessitates them supporting one another.
“Di ako nakikipag-kumpitensya kay Veejay,” said Pasaol. “Matagal na kaming teammates dito sa FEU at ang mindset ko lang is pagalingin pa siya at masaya ako para sa kanya kasi alam ko talaga na siya ang deserving na Rookie of the Year.”
Looking out for one another, this selfless demeanor among the three has been a game changer in helping each of them figure their way in this rookie season.
“Nung first round talaga, di pa kami kumportable sa laro. Pero sabi nga ng coaches once na maging kumportable kami, mag-iiba yung storya,” shared Daa.
“And ngayong second round, sabi lang naming tatlo sa sarili namin na maglaro lang tayo at iniisip lang namin na same lang ang training sa high school. So sa practice namin sinisimulan kaya maganda yung nagiging labas sa laro.”
The early returns have been promising, with the neophytes balling out in their first season and each having their moments in the sun.
Pre, of course, has been magnificent in his first year as he emerged as the team’s top scorer with 13.15 points, 6.92 rebounds, and 1.32 assists, impressing peers and foes alike and drawing praises, first from coach Sean Chambers who branded him as the future of the UAAP and also getting applauded by no less than reigning Season and Finals MVP Kevin Quiambao.
Pasaol, for his part, has also been solid in seizing the starting point guard role tallying 8.0 points, 3.92 boards, 2.85 assists, and 1.23 steals while also recording a career-high 14 points in FEU’s recent 65-54 win over Ateneo.
And Daa, though not norming numbers as high as his friends, has been a positive impact in his 16 minutes on the court, recording a season-high 11 points against University of Santo Tomas and was a difference maker in their 59-51 second round win against University of the East as he was a plus-14 on the court.
But as much as they’re out there for each other, their stellar play also wouldn’t be possible if not for the confidence exuded to them by their seniors.
“Big thing sa amin yung mga kuya namin kasi nandyan sila palagi. Kahit may games na nagsa-struggle kami, nandyan sila at palagi kaming ginagabayan, kinakausap kami na ganito yung gawin namin next game. Hindi nila kami pinapabayaan,” said Pre.
Daa added, “Nagbe-blend in kami sa mga kuya namin at kita namin na naka-support sila sa amin parati, so malaking impact yun para sa aming mga bata.”
Pasaol also believes that Chambers’ entry to the program is serendipitous, with the stars aligning in signaling this new chapter as they all give the struggling Tamaraws a much needed fresh start.
“Nung dumating si coach Sean, doon din kami pumasok [sa seniors]. And kita mo naman kung gaano kamasayahin si coach Sean kung paano siya mag-coach sa amin. Talagang nag-blend in siya sa team na parang hindi lang naming siya coach kung hindi parang naging pangalawang tatay na rin siya sa amin,” he said.
Certainly, these confluence of events has turned out for the better of FEU as it has overachieved and sprung surprises in this campaign behind this youth wave.
At 5-8 and with a game left in their schedule, it’s uncertain if the Tamaraws will have enough gas left in the tank to make a push and reach the Final Four this season. But unquestionably, this year’s showing provided a strong foundation for their future.
And the youth revolution isn’t over yet, with more Baby Tamaraws poised to move up in the coming seasons.
“Dream naming lahat na makapag-college sa FEU and sobrang saya kami na naging totoo yun. Pero kulang pa kami kasi wala pa si Dwyne [Miranda] at si Kirby [Mongcopa] at hinihintay pa namin sila for next year,” said Pre.
“Excited talaga kami sa mga paparating pa at sa future ng FEU.”
-with reports from Adriann Ancheta
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