Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Jared Bahay in action during the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rookie Jared Bahay and Ateneo have found themselves in a winless rut to begin the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
That, however, isn’t dampening Bahay’s excitement for the Blue Eagles’ next game, which happens to be the newest installment of the historic rivalry between Ateneo and rival school, La Salle.
“I know it’s going to be super intense,” said Bahay in Filipino after their 74-64 loss to University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“School pride is intact so I’m very excited to play [my first] Ateneo-La Salle game.”
Heading into his first UAAP rivalry match, Bahay found himself in a seesaw for his first couple of games. He posted just three points on just one field goal out of nine tries in Ateneo’s most recent loss.
Ateneo’s Jared Bahay after suffering a loss to UST; a first in over nine years. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/HJx3qunyHA
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 11, 2024
That, after top scoring in his first UAAP game in Ateneo’s loss to the University of the Philippines with 13 points on top of five rebounds and four assists.
But all stats are out the window once he laces up his shoes against La Salle—which notably has the league’s best swingman in Kevin Quiambao.
READ: UAAP: Cagulangan tells UP fans to stop hate toward Jared Bahay
“KQ is another UAAP star and I know I’ll learn something moving forward after I face them,” said the former top-ranked high school player in the country.
Bahay, however, acknowledged that they may face the defending champions without their captain Chris Koon, who’s currently listed as day-to-day with a left ankle sprain.
“It’ll be slightly difficult because Chris Koon’s capable of having abilities as a leader and in our rotation he’s one of the main guys. We’re having trouble without his presence but we have to play through it.”
Bahay enters his first match in the long-storied Ateneo-La Salle rivalry on Sunday, 6:30 pm, at Mall of Asia Arena, following a bout between the Growling Tigers and Adamson at 3:30 pm.