Another eagle chose to remain in the nest.
Even with Ateneo de Manila University in the thick of the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Final Four race, Jay-M Leal has already made a decision for the next chapter of his budding basketball career.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Carmona City, Cavite has committed to stay home in Katipunan, choosing to play collegiate basketball for head coach Tab Baldwin and Ateneo beginning this UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Leal — a recruit of coach Reggie Varilla to join Ateneo’s grassroots program in Season 87 — confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times via text message on Monday afternoon.
“I think the community is one of the biggest factors for my choice. The basketball program’s really strong, but I’ve also seen how tight-knit the Atenean community is from my years in the high school division,” the 18-year-old forward said, choosing to stay with the Blue Eagles over other top UAAP programs, including De La Salle University and National University.
Leal’s decision comes in the wake of numerous Ateneans opting to continue their careers in Katipunan, such as Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu’s 6-foot-6 Jelo Rota last year and Ateneo de Davao’s 6-foot-4 forward Rene Baterbonia earlier this year.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Alongside Nigerian center Jude Eriobu and Noah Banal, Leal has been a crucial part of the Blue Eagles’ return to the Final Four of UAAP boys’ basketball after more than six years—posting averages of 13.23 points, 6.08 rebounds, 3.31 assists, 0.77 steals, and 0.38 blocks through 13 games in Season 88.
With Leal’s commitment — alongside the commitment of Palarong Pambansa MVP Rene Baterbonia last February 22 — the Blue Eagles continued their recruitment drive, aiming to end a two-year absence from the Final Four and compensate for the departures of Josh Lazaro, Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo.
“The community has been very welcoming, and it’s something I want to be a part of for a long time,” he added.
Familiarity with the Blue Eagles’ system and environment, along with Ateneo’s strong academic reputation, played major roles in his decision. But Leal shared that a primary factor was the opportunity to develop under four-time UAAP champion coach Tab Baldwin.
Leal’s entry into the highly competitive environment of UAAP men’s basketball could not come at a better time, as Baldwin also recently inked a three-year extension as Ateneo’s men’s basketball coach before the start of Season 88.
“I feel like I have lots to improve on as a player, and I feel that Coach Tab Baldwin’s expertise and strong background working as the head coach of the Ateneo basketball team can help me maximize and reach my potential,” Leal explained.
Ateneo’s new 19-and-under head coach, Bacon Austria, beamed with pride over Leal’s decision, expressing his joy in seeing his vision come to life: nurturing young talent who will eventually strengthen Baldwin’s Blue Eagles.
“Hopefully, Jay-M is not the last that the high school team could produce to help the men’s team moving forward,” Austria told Tiebreaker Times.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite the excitement of representing Ateneo at a whole new level of basketball come September, Austria assured that Leal’s focus remains on the Blue Eagles’ Final Four campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Ateneo (10-3) is still in the thick of a heated race for a twice-to-beat advantage, with a crucial clash against Far Eastern University-Diliman (11-2) looming next Sunday, March 8, at the Blue Eagle Gym to close the elimination round.
“This is a good sign for the whole Ateneo program. Happy for Jay-M and for Ateneo. However, there’s still a lot to work on for Jay-M,” added the son of multi-time PBA champion coach Leo Austria.
“College is a different level; he needs to improve in several areas of his game, and he has the time to do so. So hopefully he could produce and help the men’s team in the future.”
Leal will have five full years of eligibility to represent the Blue Eagles starting Season 89.
