Even if Far Eastern University falls short in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four race, one thing is already certain: co-captain Jorick Bautista will return for his fifth and final year with the Tamaraws in Season 89.
Despite FEU’s postseason hopes hinging on an Ateneo de Manila University win over De La Salle University to force a three-way tie for fourth place at 7-7, Bautista did not hesitate when asked about coming back.
“Yes. Sure na sure,” the Davao native told Tiebreaker Times after contributing 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds in a narrow 81-79 victory over semifinal-bound University of Santo Tomas that kept FEU in contention.
“Bahala na kung ano resulta niyan. Basta kami, kung may chance at palarin kami makalaro sa Final Four, pagtatrabahuan namin hanggang dulo.”
Bautista played a pivotal role as FEU transformed a dismal 1-5 start into a 7-7 finish, vaulting back into a fiercely competitive postseason race. He averaged 14.64 points on an efficient 42-percent shooting clip, alongside 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal across 14 games.
Even with the Tamaraws’ playoff fate now out of their hands, the 24-year-old shooting guard from Davao City considers Season 88 a success. FEU proved it can compete with the league’s elite squads — including top-seeded National University, second-ranked University of the Philippines, third-ranked UST, and long-time rivals La Salle and Ateneo.
“Sobrang happy talaga. No regrets sa lahat ng nangyari kasi ito yung pinagttrabahuan namin. Lahat ito sa training pa lang, pinupukpok namin yung isa’t isa,” Bautista said.
“Tsaka kung ano ‘man mangyari sa Ateneo-La Salle game, hindi namin control ‘eh. Control namin yung game ngayon ‘eh, which is ginawa namin yung part namin ‘eh.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adding to the excitement around Bautista’s return is his growing reputation outside the UAAP.
Despite garnering interest from big-city teams in the MPBL, Bautista has firmly decided to remain loyal to the Tamaraws.
Looking ahead to Season 89, Bautista is optimistic about FEU’s prospects, buoyed by the steady rise of homegrown standouts Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa, and the continued growth of Gambian big man Mo Konateh.
While FEU will need to fill the void left by graduating players Neil Owens, Miguel Ona, Aaron Bagunu, and Cholo Anonuevo, Bautista is confident the team has the pieces to end a four-season Final Four drought.
“Sobrang saya. Sobrang bright ng future namin.
“Si Kirby, magso-sophomore year na. Marami na natutunan yan, pati sila Janrey. Ang mawawala na lang sa amin is Ona, si Neil, at si Aaron, which is ‘yon yung i-wwork on namin para i-fill in yung mga sapatos nila. Trabaho lang ulit. Kung ano yung pinakita namin this season, mas hihigitan pa namin next season,” he shared.
Bautista’s confidence is further boosted by the return of a more seasoned Sean Chambers, who will guide the Tamaraws for a third year.
With Chambers now fully adapted to Philippine basketball and bringing his experience as a Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach, Bautista believes FEU is poised for even greater success.
“Nung rookie year niya, 5-9 kami. Ngayon, 7-7 kami tapos may chance pa makapasok sa Final Four. For sure, pagka-third year niya, papasok na kami ng Final Four niya,” he said.
“Sobrang daming experience ni Coach Sean kasi magko-coach pa siya sa Gilas tsaka maituturo pa niya samin ‘yon. ‘Yon yung advantage, isa sa marami, na dinadala ni Coach Sean sa team.”
