By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Another promising young star will be leaving the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles nest heading to the next season of the UAAP Men’s basketball tournament.
Jared Brown, one of the most reliable offensive stars who helped the Blue Eagles salvage a ticket to the UAAP Final Four tournament, announced that he will no longer play for another year to test the waters of the professional scene.
The five-foot-ten combo guard confirmed everything in his Instagram post and penned a heartfelt message to his supporters and the entire Ateneo community.
“I just want to say thank you for all of the support throughout this year. I am extremely blessed and honored to have put on an Ateneo jersey because of the rich and legendary tradition this University has,” Brown posted.
Despite an early bumpy UAAP road for the Blue Eagles, the team managed to regroup and qualify for the Final Four.
However, they faced a stacked and disciplined UP Fighting Maroons squad and fell in the semifinals while also failing to defend their championship crown.
Brown was one of those stars who sustained his fine play in the second round, helping Ateneo rack win after win to extend their Final Four streak.
During his one-year stint with the Blue Eagles, the leftie guard averaged 9.8 points, 2.33 assists, and 1.73 rebounds per game.
Brown followed the footsteps of his teammate Kai Ballungay who also chose to leave Ateneo and play professional hoops overseas.
Now that the Blue Eagles will be without Brown and Ballungay, breakout stars like Mason Amos and Joseph Obasa will be tasked to lead the prestigious university in the upcoming UAAP Season 87.
“I know my time as a Blue Eagle has been short, but within this year, I can genuinely say I have been a part of a family and a brotherhood that I will cherish forever,” Brown added.
