Gab Delos Reyes will remain in the UAAP.
But he will no longer be with the University of the East.
The 6-foot-4 all-around forward is transferring to National University Nazareth School for his senior high school years.
For the 17-year-old native of Calaca, Batangas, the move was far from easy, but one he felt he had to make.
“First po, pinili ko po ang NU kasi maganda po ang program nila sa basketball. Dalawang taon ko na rin po silang nakakalaban, at alam ko po na maganda ang system nila pagdating sa basketball. Maganda rin po ang naging plano nila para sa akin,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sobrang hirap po ng naging desisyon ko na ito. After UAAP po, iniisip ko na kung ano ang magiging desisyon ko. Hindi po naging madali ang desisyong ito. Ang dami ko pong pinagdaanan at kinailangang alamin bago po ako magdesisyon. Sila po kasi ang una kong nakasama, at sila rin po ang naging kasama ko sa hirap at struggle. At yun nga po, sinugal ko po ang isang taon ko para sa residency.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Delos Reyes played an instrumental role in UE’s rise in the high school ranks.
He spearheaded the Junior Warriors’ UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball championship campaign, helping end the school’s 39-year title drought in the sport. In the three-game finals series, he averaged 9.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
However, he encountered challenges after moving up to the Under-19 division last year.
Now, Delos Reyes parts ways with coaches Karl Santos and Andrew Estrella, who have since moved to Letran, as well as the rest of his former Junior Warriors teammates.
Despite the change, he carries with him the lessons he learned under their guidance.
“Sobrang grateful po ako na naging coaches ko sila kasi sila na rin po ang naging comfort zone ko,” said Delos Reyes. “Noong panahon po namin sa Gilas, nag-struggle na po ako, at sa kanila po ako unang lumapit kasi alam ko po na sila ang nakakakilala sa akin at sila rin po ang nakakaalam kung ano ako bilang player.
“Sobrang thankful po ako sa kanila na naging coaches ko sila at malaki ang utang na loob ko kayla Tito Frank at Boss Jacob (Lao) dahil sa tiwala at suporta na binigay nila sa akin. Sobrang laki po ng naitulong nila sa akin mula pa lang po noong Season 87. Sobrang dami ko pong natutunan sa kanila, at hindi lang naman po lahat tungkol sa basketball kundi pati na rin po sa totoong buhay. Ang dadalhin ko pong pinakamahalagang lesson ay hindi ko makukuha ang mga bagay na gusto ko kung hindi ko ito paghihirapan.”
Delos Reyes will serve a one-year residency before becoming eligible for a one-and-done stint in UAAP Season 90.
Despite the mandatory layoff, he is embracing the challenge and looking forward to the next chapter of his basketball journey.
“Sobrang dami ko pa pong gustong matutunan sa NU. Siyempre po, crucial ang isang taon kong residency. Doon po ako magtitiis at magsisikap nang mabuti para ma-develop at maintindihan kung paano tumatakbo ang system ng NU. Hindi po ito madali, pero pagtatrabahuhan ko po ito, lalo na ang mga weaknesses ko,” he said.
“Alam ko po sa sarili ko na marami pa akong kulang. Iwo-work ko po ang mga kailangan kong i-improve bilang player at bilang team player, pati na rin po ang magiging role ko sa NU.”
