Hindi pa man naglalaro ang tinaguriang ‘best high school player’ ng bansa na si Jared Bahay sa University of the Philippines ay nagbago ang isip ng 18-anyos na Grade 12 ng Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu na matuloy sa pamantasang maagang nag-recruit sa kanya.
“Although we have remained in our commitment to Jared, outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart,” pahayag ni UP Fighting Maroons coach Bo Perasol sa Facebook post ng UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development nitong Biyernes.
“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,” aniya.
Marso ng nakaraang taon nang inanunsyo ng 5-foot-9 point guard mula sa Cebu ang kanyang maagang pagsapi sa Fighting Maroons gayong nasa senior high school pa lang siya.
“In the last two years, the UP MBT and Jared Bahay have developed a special relationship. 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,” ani Perasol.
Gayunpaman, plano pa rin ng UP Fighting Maroons na makabalik sa tuktok ng Universities Athletics Association of the Philippines men’s basketball, kahit na hindi na kasama sa koponan si Bahay, ayon kay Perasol.
Hindi naman tinukoy kung saang koponan lilipat ang finals most valuable player sa championship match ng Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu at University of Visayas sa ligang Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation nitong Disyembre.
