AS the UE Red Warriors sing their university hymn for the last time this season, one-and-done player Jed Mendoza could not keep himself from being emotional.

"Sobrang hati kasi talaga sa akin 'yung saya at lungkot. Thankful talaga ako sa UE kasi nabigyan ako ng second chance makapaglaro sa collegiate [league]," he said, after they escaped the NU Bulldogs, 79-77. "Sa milyun-milyong taong nangangarap sa pwesto ko, isa 'ko sa pinalad. Dati pinagdadasal ko lang 'to, ngayon nakalaro sa NCAA at UAAP din."
Jed, who had five markers, four boards, and five dimes for UE, missed his final playing year in the NCAA with Jose Rizal University, as he decided to graduate on time. To his surprise, UE offered him a chance to play in Season 82 of the UAAP.
The 24-year-old guard shared that despite his late stint with the Recto-based squad, the Red Warriors were quick to make him feel at home.
"Kahit five to seven months lang kami magkakasama, parang four years na 'yung bond namin. Nagpapasalamat ako kasi ni-welcome talaga nila 'ko, parang 'di ko na kailangan makisama. Ako kasi 'di talaga pala-labas, nasa dorm lang ako. Most of the time, sila ang kasama ko," Jed shared.
"I'm sure dadating din 'yung glory sa UE, hindi lang ngayon but sooner than later."
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