Through nine games, it’s safe to say that Jared Bahay’s rookie season with Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament has been a mix of highs and rookie jitters.
Despite these nerves, the 19-year-old floor general demonstrated his ability to compete with the best in the UAAP by scoring a career-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting during a rivalry match against reigning champions DLSU Green Archers on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Unfortunately for Bahay, his personal achievement came in a 65-80 loss to La Salle, which dimmed Ateneo’s Final Four hopes, dropping them to solo seventh in the standings with a 3-7 record.
With this in mind, Bahay expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, acknowledging that he is still adjusting to head coach Tab Baldwin’s system. He emphasized the need for the team to redouble their efforts to salvage their playoff hopes.
“Twenty-two points pero I’m not happy about it kasi parang most of those points hindi galing doon sa system namin. Although pumasok siya, pero kailangan talaga mag-stick to the plan kung ano gusto ng coaches sa shot selection namin,” shared the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu product.
“Hindi ako happy sa outcome pero it’s a great learning experience para sa amin sa team namin. There’s more room for improvement for me; I’m gonna work on it, and sana I’ll not only get there, pero I hope we can bring this into sa next games namin,” he continued.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The loss marked the first time that Ateneo dropped both head-to-head elimination outings against La Salle since Season 76 (2013), when the Blue Eagles featured players like Kiefer Ravena, Von Pessumal, and Chris Newsome, while the Green Archers were led by Jeron Teng, Norbert Torres, and Almond Vosotros.
Despite being on the wrong side of history in the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry during his rookie campaign, Bahay expressed gratitude and honor at being part of such a storied matchup.
“It’s such an honor na maging part ka sa rivalry. La Salle and Ateneo go way back since way back. Ang sarap sa feeling na makasama ka na sa ganito. There are great players who have been part of this. I’m happy,” said Bahay.
Amid mixed emotions and a long list of improvements for his personal game, Bahay emphasized that his teammates need to become more consistent to avoid missing the Final Four for the first time in 13 years (since Season 76 in 2013).
As Bahay enjoyed the best game of his young UAAP career against La Salle, he lacked support from his teammates, emerging as Ateneo’s lone double-digit scorer.
“Sabi ni Coach Tab na he’s proud of us, pero we need to learn more. Kailangan pa namin magstay consistent kasi hindi pa kami consistent. I think sa next game, sana maging consistent pa kami,” he shared.
“I think we still have a chance ‘no. We’re gonna push more, and sana makuha namin ‘yon. I think we’re gonna work hard para makuha namin ‘yon, and I’m not gonna let my seniors down, sila Chris [Koon] at SQ (Sean Quitevis). Gusto ko pa sila mag Final Four.”
