Every time things got heated during the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School 3×3 Basketball Final between Ateneo and UST, young Sky Jazul would glance up to the second floor of the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Activity Center.
There, his father RJ Jazul — a Letran legend and former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart — would lock eyes with him and signal him to stay composed.
And just like that, the 14-year-old spitfire guard would find his calm.
“I needed him talaga because throughout the years, he was the one who prepared me for these types of moments,” shared Sky.
“He pushes me to become a better basketball player.”
Sky delivered in the biggest moment of his young career, dropping 11 points — including the championship-clinching deuce — to lead the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to their first-ever 3×3 title in the division.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
He had been a scoring machine throughout the six-day meet, averaging 9.89 points and knocking down a league-best 28 deuces.
His consistent brilliance earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honor.
“Thankful lang po for being given the opportunity to play here and experience this moment,” he said.
It was a redemption story for the quartet of Sky, Zane Kallos, YJ Lacsamana, and Q Molina, who missed the Final Four in the 5-on-5 tournament last season.
“Just having the right mentality and focus on the games… Just fight for Ateneo,” Sky added, noting they’ll carry the momentum and lessons from this run into the next season.
Having his dad, RJ, as a guiding figure throughout his basketball journey is something Sky cherishes deeply. But he also admits that growing up under the shadow of a PBA veteran and national team icon comes with added expectations.
Still, he chooses to embrace the journey with maturity beyond his years.
“May kaunting pressure pero it’s just basketball. Play, have fun, and enjoy the moment because you only get to do this while you’re young.”
