On the court, Jesse Arellano has plenty to say. He just does not say it with words.
The six-foot forward has emerged as the face of National University Nazareth School’s unbeaten run in the UAAP Season 89 High School 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament, putting together a dominant first round that has firmly placed him in the MVP race.
Through his first five games, Arellano has averaged a double-double, leading the league in scoring at 19.33 points per game while also sitting atop the rebounding charts with 14.5 boards per contest.
For all the noise his numbers have made, however, the Antipolo native himself remains remarkably quiet.
Arellano is a man of few words—a trait that becomes almost amusing when juxtaposed with the way he has been playing.
His basketball story began when his Tito JJ introduced him to the sport and taught him how to play. From there, Arellano worked his way through various youth leagues, eventually catching the attention of NU Nazareth School head coach Leo Pujante and the Bullpups’ coaching staff.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Na-scout lang ako sa mga liga,” he said.
Since joining the NU system, Arellano has continued to let his game do most of the talking.
The young forward admits that he does not point to a particular basketball star as his idol. Instead, the do-it-all forward has carved out his own identity, one built around his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
In NUNS’ 114-71 rout of Ateneo de Manila on Sunday, Arellano did what he has done throughout the tournament, posting another double-double with 19 points and 19 rebounds against the Blue Eagles.
Yet for all the individual attention coming his way, Arellano’s aspirations extend beyond what he can accomplish in the 16-and-under tournament.
He hopes to remain in the NU system as he continues to develop, with his sights set on making the school’s 19-and-under team and, eventually, its collegiate squad.
“Sana makuha pa ako sa 19U and college,” Arellano shared.
Beyond college, he also has ambitions of playing professionally, whether in the Philippines or overseas.
For now, though, the young Bullpup is not looking too far ahead. With NUNS still riding a 23-game winning streak and a crown to defend, only one goal is on Arellano’s mind.
“Mag-champion and mag-MVP,” Arellano said.
