Fil-Am Jacob Bayla boosts UP title bid in UAAP Season 87

Jacob Bayla with UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol. NBTC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After much anticipation, highly-touted high school player Jacob Bayla has decided to play for University of the Philippines.

Bayla, who played a key role in FilAm Nation-Select USA’s title run in the 2024 NBTC two months ago, confirmed his commitment to the Fighting Maroons during the FilAm Nation Select All-Star Classic.

“UP has a great basketball program. They compete, they play hard, they play at a high level. I particularly love the coaching staff as they’ve been coming to the US every year since I was 15 to come watch me play,” Bayla said.

READ: Malick Diouf sees ‘good future’ in UP Maroons after his exit

“Ultimately, I believe UP will support and guide me throughout my basketball journey, help me improve my game, and hold me accountable. They’re the school that really believed in me since day one,” he added.

Apart from UP’s flourishing men’s basketball program, the Gilas youth standout also said his decision to choose the Fighting Maroons was due to the high academic standards of the University.

Jacob Bayla.–NBTC PHOTO

“Aside from basketball, UP is a great academic school. I always took pride in academics and I know they have the tools to guide me to be successful on and off the court,” said Bayla.

The 6-foot-5 Bayla also said he’ll be taking up Sports Sciences in UP.

The Fighting Maroons, who are expected to lean on mainstays JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez and Harold Alarcon, won’t have to wait long to see Bayla in action as he’ll immediately be eligible to suit up in Season 87.

Bayla also joins the likes of fellow newcomers Gani Stevens and Dikachi Udodo at UP, which lost to La Salle in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 finals last December.

READ: UAAP: 6-foot-7 Gani Stevens transfers to UP Fighting Maroons

“We’ve all seen naman what Jacob can do and how he has kept improving. Hopefully, magtutuloy-tuloy lang yan now he’s with us as we, as a team, also continue to be better every day sa every practice, every game,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde.

“Matagal na nating nakita yung potential ni Jacob. We are so glad na pinili at pinagkatiwalaan niya at ng family niya ang UP as the next step in his young career. With coach Gold’s guidance, we believe Jacob will reach his full potential,” added UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol.

Bayla averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the NBTC.