ADD highly touted high school standout Jared Bahay to the blue-chip recruits that University of the Philippines hope will boost the team in its drive to reach the Promised Land anew in the UAAP.
Although he still has a season left to play for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in the CESAFI, Bahay formally committed to the Fighting Maroons yesterday.
“I chose UP because of the good education they will provide and the lovely community they have. I believe they will help hone my skills to my fullest potential,” Bahay said. “I made an early decision to commit because I already want to know the system that coach Gold (Monteverde) runs.
“So, it will be easier for me to transition when I come in. UP presented a clearer plan that will benefit my future and family,” he added.
The 5-foot-11 playmaker led the Magis Eagles to the season 22 juniors’ title and was named Season MVP and the No. 1 prospect in the NBTC’s annual rankings of the best high school cagers in the Philippines.
Bahay will finish his high school career with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu before moving to UP in the 87th season next year.
A Gilas Pilipinas Youth team member, Bahay, 17, will join the Maroons’ backcourt that also includes JD Cagulangan, Terrence Fortea, and Gerry Abadiano.
He normed 17.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds for the Magis Eagles in the semifinals of the recently-concluded Smart-NBTC National Finals, as well as 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists (FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship 2022) and 9.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds (FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship 2022) for the national team.
“Siyempre, we’re excited to see how Jared can help the team, and, at the same time, how we can help him to continue to improve,” Monteverde said.
