Often the feel-good characters of the UAAP, Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa got real after finally facing their longtime friend and brother, Veejay Pre.
Pre, the Season 87 Rookie of the Year for Far Eastern University, transferred to University of the Philippines after his impressive first season with the Tamaraws.
His move broke up the trio that had been together since their high school days at FEU-Diliman, where they won the UAAP Season 85 High School Boys’ Basketball championship.
On Sunday, however, the Tamaraws made sure to show Pre that they had moved forward. The team pulled off a massive 90-79 victory over the Fighting Maroons for their third straight win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Pasaol, who went on to become the Season 88 MVP, recalled the moment he first learned that Pre was leaving FEU.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Nung unang nabalitaan ko na aalis si Veejay, ako talaga ‘yung nasaktan nung time na ‘yun. Veejay is Veejay eh. Isa siya sa malaking piece namin simula first season namin sa UAAP, so ayun,” said the usually smiling Pasaol, who showed a rare serious side.
“Nung tumagal na at UP na nga siya, natanggap na rin namin na ‘yun ‘yung pinili niyang tahakin. Dito kami. Gagawin lang namin kung ano ‘yung meron kami ngayon, so ayun, nagbunga na rin naman. Kita mo naman paangat na kami ngayon.”
The victory improved the Tamaraws’ record to 3-1, tying them with the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the league lead.
The FEU duo spearheaded the Tamaraws’ attack, with Mongcopa delivering 24 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Meanwhile, Pasaol chipped in 15 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Pre, on the other hand, led UP with 16 points and five rebounds.
Despite his brief answer, Mongcopa was simply happy to share the court with Pre again, even if they now found themselves on opposite sides.
“Masaya naman ako kapag nakikita ko si Veejay maglaro at lumalaban din. Naglaro lang kami ng basketball; masaya ako,” said Mongcopa.
But the fun-loving personalities of Pasaol and Mongcopa were never far away, as Pasaol made sure to lighten the mood before leaving the press conference, breaking into song:
“Kung maibabalik ko lang.”
