AS Veejay Pre finalized his transfer from Far Eastern University to the University of the Philippines, what has gotten lost in the shuffle was that at first, the Fighting Maroons weren't hot on the heels of the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year.
READ: UP rallies past La Salle, UST to secure services of Veejay Pre
Yes, there were a few feelers sent from Diliman just as Pre and his family decided to explore their options starting early April, but no formal talks were scheduled.
That's because for a while back then, several sources stated that it looked like La Salle had it in the bag before the supposed move was made public.
Another UAAP school was very much in the running, too, and again, it wasn't State U.
University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio was in constant communication with Pre's father, plotting out the prospect of the 6-foot-5 modern big being the final piece to the puzzle of the Growling Tigers' return to relevance.
The outcry stemming from yet another inter-UAAP transfer was resounding and piercing, however, and just about everybody decided to put it all on hold.
That was also when Veejay himself, who valued how the Tamaraws discovered and then developed him, began wanting to remain in green-and-gold - leading to an unfortunate tug-of-war within the Pre family.
Then came UAAP boys champion Koji Buenaflor choosing to move up from the Tiger Cubs to the Growling Tigers. Then came NCAA juniors MVP and champion Lebron Jhames Daep committing to the Green Archers. Both play the same 4 position as the 19 year old Pre.
Then came an opening for the Fighting Maroons, who had just lost key forwards Francis Lopez and Aldous Torculas.
UP right place, right time
Contrary to earlier sourced reports, which have resurfaced across social media, UP higher-ups never categorically stated that they will not pursue Pre.
What they said and reiterated, as per insiders who closely monitored the situation, was that they will only entertain the idea of talking to the erstwhile FEU star after he has discussed his plans with officials of the Morayta-based school.
"What's fortunate about all this is that hindi naman tayo nandun when reports and rumors began. We respected FEU, and kinausap lang natin si Veejay nung nakapag-decide at nakapagpaalam na siya sa FEU," said Office of Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol in a statement.
Fast forward to earlier in the week and Veejay decided once and for all to take his family's advice, bidding farewell to his longtime alma mater.
The Fighting Maroons - just like every other team wooing the versatile big - wasted no time setting up meetings with the Pre family.
The dragged-out saga proved to be a godsend for the maroon-and-green, as it made its case about Veejay being a ready-made - yes, ready-made, meaning plug-and-play and with expectations of immediate impact - replacement for Lopez and Torculas.
It didn't hurt either that Pre isn't entering UP alongside another, or even several, talented recruits playing the same position.
Come Friday morning, Fighting Maroons management traveled to the Pres' hometown of Floridablanca, Pampanga and the deal was sealed.
And that's how those who were on the outside looking in from the very start wound up inside the winners' circle.
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