GILAS Youth rising star Jacob Bayla is on his way to Diliman after committing to play for the University of the Philippines.
With multiple offers from Ivy League schools in the United States, Bayla, a highly-touted 18-year-old blue chip recruit, has decided to take his talents home to the Philippines with five full seasons of UAAP eligibility to his name starting Season 87 later this year.
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"UP has a great basketball program. They compete, they play hard, they play at a high level. I particularly love the coaching staff, as they've been coming to the US every year since I was 15 (years old) to come watch me play," Bayla said.
"Ultimately, I believe UP will support and guide me throughout my basketball journey, help me improve my game and hold me accountable. They're the school that really believed in me since day one," he added.
Hailing from Valley Christian High School in San Jose, California, the 6-foot-5 guard returned to Manila to lead Fil-Am Nation Select USA's unbeaten titile romp in Division 1 of the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals — sealing his place among the country's best under-19 talents as a Mythical Five member alongside top aces Andy Gemao, Tebol Garcia, Vince Reyes and Callum Harris.
He posted averages of 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in his NBTC stint earlier this year.
The high-flying playmaker is no stranger to the national team scene as he donned the Philippine colors in the 2022 Fiba Asia U16 Championship, posting a six-game average of 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Bayla also took pride in the 'great' academics offered by UP — one among his key considerations ahead of taking up sports science in the university to begin life as a bona fide Fighting Maroon.
"Aside from basketball, UP is a great academic school. I always took pride and academics and I know they have the tools to guide me to be successful on and off the court," said Bayla.
For UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde and UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol, Bayla's journey to the Fighting Maroons has been a long time coming as he gears up to realize his full potential in the UAAP.
"We've all seen naman what Jacob can do and how he has kept improving. Hopefully, magtutuloy-tuloy lang yan now he's with us as we, as a team, also continue to be better every day sa every practice, every game," said Monteverde.
Perasol added: "Matagal na nating nakita yung potential ni Jacob. We are so glad na pinili at pinagkatiwalaan niya at ng family niya ang UP as the next step in his young career. With coach Gold's guidance, we believe Jacob will reach his full potential."
Bayla will suit up alongside fellow newcomers Gani Stevens and Dikachi Udodo as UP eyes championship redemption after two straight runner-up finishes.
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