Longtime friends and former teammates Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa expressed support for Veejay Pre following his departure from the FEU Tamaraws.
Even in his absence, Veejay Pre’s name still lingers around the FEU Tamaraws camp.
After officially announcing his departure from FEU last week, Pre’s longtime friends and fellow ex-Baby Tamaraws Jedric Daa and Janrey Pasaol broke their silence on the emotional decision their brother made to leave the program.
Daa and Pasaol, who were part of the Baby Tamaraws' Season 85 championship core with Pre in high school, admitted it wasn’t easy seeing someone so close to them walk away — but ultimately, they understand.
“Ma-miss ko ‘yung kaibigan ko na ‘yun,” said Daa, now a key frontcourt piece in Sean Chambers' squad.
“Inopen niya ‘yung saloobin niya samin nila Janrey, Kirby [Mongcopa, and Dwyne [Miranda]. That’s why naintindihan ko naman kung ano man ‘yung naging desisyon niya. Suportahan natin siya.”
Pre, who was recently crowned UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year, left the Tamaraws after what FEU officials described as pressure from his family to transfer schools.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Veejay Pre bids emotional farewell to FEU, calls it 'hardest decision ever']
While his next destination remains unknown, his former teammates are choosing to focus on the bond they shared rather than the path he chose.
“Sinasabi lang namin na siya pa rin talaga mas makakaalam niyan kasi siya ‘yung naglalaro eh,” Daa added. “Kung ano ‘yung tinatakbo ng puso niya, ‘yun ‘yung sundin niya. Wala namang pilitan. Kung saan siya masaya, dun siya.”
[ALSO READ: Sean Chambers speaks on Veejay Pre’s departure from FEU: ‘We all have to move on’]
Meanwhile, Pasaol admitted that it’s been a tough adjustment both on and off the court.
“Mahirap kasi matagal namin nakakasama si Veejay simula high school,” he shared. “Matinding bonding ang pinagsamahan. Mahirap nung una pero unti-unti naman naming natatanggap na wala na siya.”
Pasaol also revealed that Pre had gone off the grid, limiting communication with teammates since deactivating his social media.
“Siyempre, lalo na sa practice, parang mahirap kasi hinahanap pa rin namin siya. Nami-miss namin ‘yung presence niya,” Pasaol said. “Pero i-encourage pa rin namin siya: kung ‘yan talaga ‘yung desisyon mo, panindigan mo na lang. Kaibigan pa rin namin siya.”
The Tamaraws have started their preseason without Pre, opening the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup with a convincing 74–57 win over the UE Red Warriors.
Despite the shake-up, both Daa and Pasaol know the only way is forward, even if they’re missing a piece of their basketball family.
“Wala namang bad blood,” Pasaol closed. “Kaibigan pa rin namin siya.”