Veejay Pre picked up right where he left off two years ago when he was still a rookie at Far Eastern University, only this time, he is making an even bigger impact for the University of the Philippines.
The 21-year-old Pampanga native showed why UP saw him as a key addition to its roster, producing 14 points and nine rebounds in 19:57 minutes of action as the Fighting Maroons cruised past neighbor Ateneo de Manila University, 94-75, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Pre, who won Rookie of the Year honors during his freshman campaign with FEU in Season 87, made his presence felt off the bench for the Fighting Maroons in his best outing yet with the program.
When asked what drove him to perform at such a high level, the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist pointed to his partnership with James Payosing, who led UP with 16 points.
“Sa akin, galing kami off the bench ni Payosing, e,” said Pre.
“Sabi namin na ‘pag pinasok kami, ibibigay lang namin ang best namin at kakausapin namin ang mga kasama namin para makatulong sa team. In-embrace lang namin ‘yung trabaho namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Expectations are high for Pre in Season 89, with the pressure further amplified by the attention surrounding his cross-town move from Morayta to Diliman.
He joined a UP program built on winning, with the current Fighting Maroons expected not only to make another deep Finals run but also to reclaim the championship last won by the Diliman-based school in Season 87.
For that to happen, UP must continue to operate in sync, balancing its wealth of individual talent within the disciplined framework of head coach Goldwin Monteverde’s system.
Monteverde, for his part, has made it clear that Pre has the trust of the entire UP program.
“Ever since napunta sa amin si Veejay, ‘yung trust namin sa kanya nandiyan talaga. Ang importante sa amin, he’s able to express whatever ‘yung nasa loob niya, ‘yung talent niya,” said Monteverde.
“I think ‘yun naman ‘yung isang importante sa team — ‘yung ma-pro-provide namin sa players ‘yung isang sitwasyon na makakapaglaro sila nang gusto nila, mailabas nila ang kumpyansa nila, which nakapag-respond naman sila.”
After showing the UP community and the rest of the UAAP what he can do in the maroon jersey, the challenge for Pre now is to sustain that level of production for last season’s finalists.
He credits Monteverde’s trust in him as a major source of motivation and remains committed to being a student of the game as he continues to immerse himself in a system built around discipline and constant improvement.
“Thankful lang ako kasi sa tiwala ng mga coaches namin — especially si Coach Gold sa akin — kasi pumasok ako sa UP as a veteran, pero ang dami ko pang natutunan sa UP, mas lalo na kay Coach Gold,” said Pre.
“Sabi ko lang sa sarili ko, maging coachable lang ako at ibibigay ko lang ‘yung best ko tuwing naglalaro lang.”
