By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Jared is in the HOUSE, ladies and gentlemen.
After a dismal start to the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament, former no. 1 high school player of the country Jared Bahay slowly picked things up and led the charge of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 71-67, on November 13, 2024, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion,
Ateneo’s top recruit of the UAAP off-season did wonders in the most crucial stretch of the fourth quarter, nailing the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:07 remaining in the game that proved to be the biggest shot for the Blue Eagles.
With Ateneo down by a point, 64-65, Bahay called for isolation at the top of the key and stepped back to his right, burying the looping trifecta to put the Blue Eagles back in the driver’s seat.
After Bahay’s cold-blooded shot from downtown, the Red Warriors failed to execute down the stretch and only added two points, resulting in another disappointing finish in a tightly-contested ball game.
Bahay then put the icing on the cake after scoring on a drive that broke the 67-all deadlock in the final 28 seconds of the ball game.
UE had a chance to equalize or take the lead but their fumbled possession resulted in a turnover, with Ateneo’s Sean Quitevis making both shots from the charity stripe after the Red Warriors fouled him.
It was a great start for the Red Warriors after taking advantage of their size advantage, pummeling their way inside the loose Ateneo interior defense.
However, the duo of Bahay and Chris Koon spearheaded Ateneo’s comeback in the second half, backstopped by solid outings from Andrew Bongo and Shawn Tuano.
“There is more than just pride to play for. There’s the uniform that we wear and trying to live up to the standards expected of us by our community, by our teammates, and by ourselves,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
Bahay capped off his clutch performance with 11 points, but it was Bongo who top-scored the Blue Eagles with 15 markers and six rebounds.
Tuano maintained his consistent outing for the rebuilding Ateneo team and contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Koon chipped in 12 markers and 10 boards.
Despite getting kicked out of a Final Four contention, the Blue Eagles still gave their all and were eager to end the UAAP Season 87 on a high note.
