FEU rookie Veejay Pre took notes from reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao's performance against Ateneo, and then scored his own career-high outing against UST in UAAP Season 87.
FEU ace rookie Veejay Pre drew inspiration from reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao before unleashing his 31-point performance in the Tamaraws’ close loss to the UST Growling Tigers last weekend.
Playing his best game in the seniors division, Pre admitted that he took notes when Quiambao reset his career-high performance the night before in the De La Salle Green Archers' rivalry game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
[RELATED: Armed with La Salle’s trust, Kevin Quiambao shines anew in rivalry game vs Ateneo]
Deeming Quiambao as one of his role models, Pre took some time to view the Taft cager’s 33-point outing in La Salle’s 10th win of Season 87.
“Kagabi bago matulog, pinanood ko highlights niya. Tapos sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'kaya ko rin kaya yun?'” Pre said.
Though falling a bucket short of matching his idol’s scoring output, Pre was also in a league of his own as it was the best scoring performance from a rookie since Jeron Teng’s 35 points for La Salle back in 2012.
Even if it came at a loss for FEU, who were erstwhile winners of two games in a row, it undoubtedly raised the confidence of the first-year player, who admitted that he had struggled beforehand.
“Buong season nagstruggle talaga ako and yon kanina buti nakuha ko naman and hopefully sana tuloy tuloy po.” he said.
But the struggles didn’t show at all for Pre, who shot with conviction even in clutch moments. Late in the ball game against UST, he shot a triple that got the Tamaraws within six, 70-76, with less than 30 seconds remaining.
More than believing in himself, Pre said that it was a product of everyone else who expressed their faith in him — from the coaching staff to his family.
“Sobrang laki po [ng confidence boost] kasi 'yun nga, sobrang laki ng tiwala [ng team] sa akin. Kine-claim ko lang po 'yun and 'yun nga 'yung opportunity, minsan lang dumating,” said the budding star.
“Gina-grab ko lang po 'yun [as an opportunity], 'yung laging sinasabi ng parents ko sakin.”
Though some may have been surprised at what he was able to do for FEU, head coach Sean Chambers was hardly shocked. Seeing his player develop from training to the actual games, the decorated PBA import said that it was only a matter of time.
[RELATED: UST weathers Pre explosion to snap 3-game slump against FEU]
“If you've seen us in the summer, you know that that's what Veejay is capable of doing,” said Chambers.
“And it's just a matter of him having a breakout game here in the league. But that's what he's capable of. Veejay is a different level player, and he's just still getting comfortable in the UAAP,” he added.
With the race for the Final Four getting tighter and tighter as the season goes on, Chambers will be happy to see a similar performance from Pre anytime soon.
At 3-7, the Tamaraws will be hard-pressed for victories to still get a shot at that semis spot.
Up next for Pre and FEU are the UE Red Warriors whom they face on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.