MANILA, Philippines — Diliman no more.
In a stunning development, Jared Bahay will have to play elsewhere after decommitting from the University of the Philippines in the UAAP, the school announced yesterday.
Clearing the air once and for all, the Fighting Maroons made it official that Bahay had a “change of heart” after an early commitment last year entering his senior high school season with the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
“It is with a heavy heart that we respect his decision. A man should be at liberty to choose his own destiny. Godspeed and the best of luck to him,” UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol said in a statement.
“The ‘J-House’ has a new home. We hope the ‘J-House’ will always be home, wherever that be.”
Bahay, a Gilas Pilipinas youth standout, is coming off a banner season in the Cebu Athletic Schools Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) juniors basketball by steering Ateneo de Cebu to a three-peat.
The 18-year-old guard from Cebu also captured the MVP plum highlighted by a solid outing of 14 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block in Game 3 as the Magis Eagles pulled off a reverse sweep against the University of Visayas.
Rumors about Bahay, who’s eligible to play right away in Season 87 this year, taking his talents elsewhere have been swirling around since then.
“In the last two years, the UP MBT and Jared Bahay have developed a special relationship. We envisioned a common future with Jared handling the reins of a championship-caliber team. We believed in his immense talent and capacity to lead,” added Perasol.
“However, not all things go according to plan. Although we have remained in our commitment to Jared, outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart.”
With Bahay officially out of the Maroons’ turf, sources said he is likely to find his new home at the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ nest with reigning champion La Salle also expected to be an interested party in the sweepstakes for the prized floor general.