Veejay Pre has officially parted ways with the FEU Tamaraws, saying the difficult decision was made out of respect for his family's wishes and future growth.
It’s official.
Veejay Pre has announced his departure from Far Eastern University.
In an emotional post released early Wednesday morning, May 22, Pre confirmed his decision to leave FEU after five years, dating back to his days with the Baby Tamaraws.
“I believe that leaving and saying goodbye is never easy, and accepting things is the most painful part,” Pre wrote.
“As an athlete, growth and improvement matter deeply. But there comes a time in our lives when challenges arise, pushing us to make difficult decisions.”
The move comes nearly two weeks after FEU Athletics Director Mark Molina revealed that the forward had been under pressure from his family, particularly his father, to part ways with the Morayta-based school.
“I don't know in the past month how many times I've talked to Veejay crying, begging for help—to me, to coach Sean (Chambers), and coach Dennok, telling us if we can do something so that we can convince his family na huwag siyang paalisin sa FEU,” said Molina.
“He’s very loyal. Napakabait na obedient to his father, but he wants to stay where his heart belongs. Even his friends are telling us na hindi na siya makatulog, he's crying all the time.”
But now it looks like Pre has come to terms with his family on leaving the Tamaraws.
“My family and I have come to a decision, and I’ve chosen to heed their wisdom and concerns. This made me realize how much they only want the best for me. And I can’t deny that taking this big step forward has been the hardest decision ever,” said Pre.
After a stellar high school career with the Baby Tamaraws, Pre transitioned seamlessly to the seniors stage under first-year head coach Sean Chambers.
He averaged 13.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in his rookie year, later earning him the prestigious Rookie of the Year honor in UAAP Season 87.
While the Tamaraws missed the Final Four for the third straight season after finishing with a 5-9 record, there was no shortage of optimism in Morayta.
Pre, along with a promising core of former Baby Tams like Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa, was viewed as a cornerstone for the program’s rebuilding efforts.
But with his departure now official, Pre’s future is wide open.
If he chooses to transfer to another UAAP school, he will only have two years of eligibility left due to the league’s new transfer policy. A move to another league, such as the NCAA, would require only a one-year residency and cost just one year of eligibility.
Still, Pre made it clear that his decision was not born out of dissatisfaction — only gratitude.
“Thank you for the life-changing, wonderful experiences and opportunities you’ve given me and my family,” he said. “I owe FEU so much, and I will always treasure the good deeds, memories, lessons, heartbreaks, and laughter we’ve shared.”
“Forever blessed and thankful that once in my life, I was once called a TAMARAW. Once a Tamaraw, Always a Tamaraw,” he ended.