JARED Bahay, the country’s top-ranked high school prospect for the second year running, is already a proven champion with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Gilas Youth at just 18 years old.
But he will soon be tested in what he considers to be ‘one of the best [basketball] programs’ led by ‘one of the best coaches’ in the country when the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament tips off later this year.
READ: Jared Bahay, Kieffer Alas go 1-2 on NBTC's top HS players
As the dust settles on his Katipunan saga, one which saw him land at Ateneo after previously committing to University of the Philippines, Bahay shared how his first taste of training under multi-titled mentor Tab Baldwin was like.
“Siyempre iba kasi you know, Coach Tab (Baldwin) ‘di ba, one of the best coaches here in the Philippines and one of the best programs ‘yung Ateneo. Ibang-iba talaga ‘yung sistema ni Coach Tab sa’min sa Cebu pero masasabi kong kayang-kaya ko ‘yan.
“Coach Tab, pinu-push ka niya talaga eh. Bini-build talaga ‘yung confidence mo. Kapag rookie ka, hindi ka na niya kasi tini-treat na rookie eh. Pinu-push ka niya talaga tapos nilalagay out of your comfort zone para maging komportable ka soon sa mga games and sa kahit anong [sitwasyon],” said Bahay.
Bahay, however, had little to say when asked about his decision to de-commit from the Fighting Maroons ahead of jumping ship to the Blue Eagles back in January.
“Nakapagpaalam naman po ako nang maayos [sa UP],” Bahay said.
Forging strong ties
With his Blue Eagles debut soon to come, the 18-year-old ace is keen on building stronger bonds with his new teammates.
But first, Bahay has one last duty to fulfill as he winds down his decorated high school career — lead SHS-Ateneo de Ceb in the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals after last year’s sorry 90-91 loss in double overtime to Nazareth School of National University for the title.
“Mas motivated kasi Ateneo de Cebu has another chance of redeeming ourselves this year [in the NBTC National Finals]. I think lahat kami motivated to win this one.”
Bahay added: “Ateneo and I are already building relationships kasi it’s almost time to fly here and to move out from Cebu, from my comfort zone. I’m trying to build relationships and I think that’s it.
“Michael [Asoro] and Raffy [Celis], my former teammates in Ateneo de [Cebu], they introduced me to a lot of new teammates, siyempre new drills of Coach Tab, so they’ve been helping me a lot [in my transition to Ateneo].”
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