UNIVERSITY of the Philippines confirmed three days ago that prized incoming rookie Jared Bahay has officially withdrawn his commitment to suit up for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.
The burning question now is where the heady 5-foot-11 playmaker is headed.
“In the last two years, the UP men’s basketball team and Jared Bahay have developed a special relationship,” UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol said. “We envisioned a common future with Jared handling the reins of a championship-caliber team. We believed in his immense talent and capacity to lead.
“However, not all things go according to plan. Although we have remained in our commitment to Jared, outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart,” he added.
Foremost among the schools that reportedly have the inside track on the Bahay sweepstakes are Ateneo and reigning champion La Salle.
The top prospect in the NBTC’s annual rankings of the best high school cagers in the Philippines, Bahay steered Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu to its third straight diadem in the CESAFI late last year.
But after the Magis Eagles’ title conquest, Bahay had a change of heart due to academic factors, recent college basketball results, and even international offers.
Perasol admitted Bahay’s decision will be a big blow to UP’s bid in the 87th basketball tournament set later this year.
“The UP Fighting Maroons’ grand plans of getting back on top are still on track though those no longer include Bahay. UP is respecting Bahay’s decision on where his next step takes him in Manila,” Perasol said.
The 5-foot-11 Cebuano playmaker announced his early commitment to the Fighting Maroons in April last year before leading Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s successful title defense in the recently concluded CESAFI Season 23 juniors’ tournament.
Bahay, 18, is a Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and averaged 16.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals on the way to winning the finals MVP award in SHS-Ateneo’s title triumph over University of the Visayas.
Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin watched the CESAFI Big Dance that fueled intuitions that Bahay might go to Ateneo.
“It is with a heavy heart that we respect his decision. A man should be at liberty to choose his own destiny. Godspeed and the best of luck to him,” Perasol said. “The ‘J-House’ has a new home. We hope the ‘J-House’ will always be home, wherever that be.”
