Jared Bahay had yet to step on the court and make his UAAP debut, but he already heard boos from the crowd on Saturday afternoon.
As Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines warmed up for the first match of the new season at the packed SMART Araneta Coliseum – with 12,932 fans clad in blue and maroon – the broadcast panel did their pregame analysis.
The camera first panned to JD Cagulangan, a UP hero known for drilling the championship-winning, 36-year-drought-ending three-point shot back in Season 84.
He received appreciation and adoration from the huge crowd gathered for the opener.
Then Bahay, a rookie out of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, was shown on the screen – and was met with jeers.
Bahay, a 5-foot-9 up-and-coming guard, initially committed to UP before entering Grade 12 at SHS. However, after leading his high school to another CESAFI title in his final year, Bahay changed his mind and decided that his heart was with Ateneo.
After UP’s 77-61 win against Ateneo, Cagulangan pleaded with the fans to take it easy on the rookie.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“First of all ‘no, I feel bad for Jared kasi nung lumabas ‘yung mukha niya sa screen, ‘yung ibang fans nag-boo sa kanya, which is ang pangit ng simula niya sa UAAP,” said the graduating Cagulangan, who lit up the Blue Eagles with 17 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.
“Sana sa fans na nag-boo kay Jared, sana itigil na natin ‘yun kasi ang sama talaga eh. Ang sama ng pasok niya sa UAAP, ganon kaagad.”
Bahay had a respectable debut, leading Ateneo in scoring with 13 points despite a rough 3-of-11 shooting performance from the field. He also added five rebounds and four assists.
Cagulangan, who was supposed to mentor Bahay, clarified that his team harbors no ill feelings toward the Cebuano rookie.
The Fighting Maroons’ guard rotation includes Cagulangan, Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, and Janjan Felicilda.
“Wala naman akong against kay Jared kung maglaro siya kung anong school niya. Ang gusto ko lang na malaman niya ay ‘yung team ng UP wala kaming problema sa kanya,” said Cagulangan, who himself had a change of heart on his school choice, going from De La Salle to UP.
“Kung saan niya gusto, wala kaming problema. Happy lang ako sa kanya na nag-debut na siya dito sa UAAP.”
