FROM one Ateneo point guard to another, LA Tenorio knows what it’s like to be in the shoes of newest Blue Eagle Jared Bahay.
The hype has long been a cloud hovering right over the head of the 19-year-old rookie since his eventful transfer which saw him move from Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu to the University of the Philippines and then back to the Blue Eagles’ nest.
In his first four UAAP games which saw Blue Eagles trudge through their worst start in a decade at 0-3 before outlasting Adamson for an elusive first win, Bahay averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.0 boards.
READ: Chris Koon return energizes Ateneo entry into UAAP Season 87 win column
Steady numbers per se, but in the eyes of the Ateneo faithful, could still be better.
Let them doubt, but don’t lose faith
Tenorio, a former UAAP champion who’s kept tabs with the Blue Eagles amid their once-winless start, isn’t swayed one bit by the dim start to Bahay’s collegiate career - compared to the bright potential his hype had long been foretelling.
Having been there himself, the former King Eagle believes that the rookie will soon reap the fruits of his ‘house-warming stage’ in the seniors’ ranks — if he can add a touch of aggression to his game sooner than later.
“Sa history ng Ateneo, meron talagang point guard parati. Now, they have Jared Bahay. Isa ‘yun sa sinasabi ko na key player who’s still adjusting na I think is pretty much normal from a high school level going to the big league right away, especially the UAAP,” said Tenorio.
“Lagi kong napapanood ‘yung games ng Ateneo. Nakikita ko naman ‘yung potential niya as a point guard ng Ateneo. Nangangapa pa siya, obvious naman eh. ‘Di naman ganyan maglaro ‘yan eh. Nakita ko ‘yung mga games niya before eh."
“Gusto ko lang siyang makita na maging aggressive pa ‘yung rhythm niya. Ngayon, nangangapa pa siya, pero I think in time, he’ll get his groove back.”
J-House MUST feel at home
Playing in the college ranks isn’t an experience that lasts forever. It’s only four years - or five, at most - of a student-athlete’s life wherein he or she can nurture his talents at such a high level.
Tenorio wants Bahay, all jokes aside, to really feel at home if he aspires to make a name for himself.
“He’s a highly-recruited point guard, player, so obviously, marami siyang iniisip. As a young player, the most important thing is to just enjoy the game and enjoy the moment,” Bahay said.
“He’s already at a high level, so he has to make the most of it. Mabilis lang ‘yan eh, ‘yang mga taon sa UAAP, mabilis lang ‘yan.”
And when it comes to all the noise surrounding him this early into his UAAP tenure, there’s no better time than now for the Cebuano to block it all out.
“Pagdating sa criticisms, just don’t read social media. ‘Yun lang ‘yun. As a young player, hindi niya kailangang masyadong isipin mga sinasabi ng ibang tao. When we were young, gusto lang natin maglaro ng basketball.”
The Ateneo great added: “Criticism is good also, at some point. Sana maisip niya na kaya siya kini-criticize kasi he’s one of the prized rookies and much is expected of him. It’s up to him how he handles that pressure, ‘yung mga naririnig niya na voice outside the circle."
“Hindi naman ire-recruit ni coach Tab [Baldwin] ‘yan kung wala silang nakitang potential. It’s up to him kung paano niya iha-handle ‘yun.”
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