He will only suit up for the Fighting Maroons starting in Season 87, though.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons have just secured the services of 3 of the top 5 high school players in the NBTC.
After netting La Salle Greenhills’ Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate, UP has now nabbed top high school prospect Jared Bahay.
The 5-foot-11 guard from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, who will join a stacked UP backcourt which features JD Cagulangan, Terrence Fortea, and Gerry Abadiano, formalized his commitment to the Fighting Maroons on Thursday.
As a Grade 11 student, Bahay steered the SHS-Ateneo to the CESAFI juniors championship before turning heads in the recently-concluded 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals where he averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.
Why UP?
“I chose UP because of the good education they will provide and the lovely community they have. I believe they will help hone my skills to the fullest potential,” he said.
He will only suit up for UP beginning in Season 87, though.
“I made an early decision to commit because I already want to know the system that coach Gold [Monteverde] runs so it will be easier for me to transition when I come in. UP presented a clearer path that will benefit my future and family,” said Bahay, who will lead the Magis Eagles in their CESAFI title defense in August.
Monteverde is thrilled to welcome the Gilas Youth standout, who normed 9.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship 2022.
“We’re happy to have mga ganitong talent join us kasi tayo naman sa UP, the mindset is to always get better,” said the UAAP champion coach, who earlier got NBTC standout Sean Alter and Gilas Youth’s Joshua Coronel.