THIS YEAR’S offseason proved to be a turbulent period for Ateneo Men’s Basketball, with the departures of numerous key players leaving many questions about the team’s future. Providing light in an uncertain time for the Ateneo faithful, top recruit Jared Bahay has fully embraced the honor of donning the Blue and White in his University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) career.

In one of the most awaited debut seasons in recent memory, the rookie guard remains driven to not only establish himself as a collegiate superstar, but to deliver glory for the school he calls home.

Cultivated in the nest

Bahay’s ultimate decision to represent the Ateneo in college has been cultivated throughout his young career. Playing for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) in high school, the standout has grown accustomed to the values and principles of the Ateneo educational system.

The two-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) champion attributed SHS-AdC as the place that made him into the person he is today. “My time sa Sacred Heart, I think for me, ‘dun lahat ng positive na nangyari sa buhay ko. ‘Dun ako naging si Jared Bahay kumbaga,” the young prodigy shared.

(My time in Sacred Heart, I think for me, was where all of the positive events in my life happened. That is where I became Jared Bahay so to speak.)

Bahay’s accomplishments in CESAFI helped land him the top spot in the National Basketball Training Center’s (NBTC) high school rankings in both 2023 and 2024. With the pair of merits, the uber-talented guard joined fellow Atenean Kai Sotto as the only players to receive the honor in consecutive years.

In addition to his decorated CESAFI career, the now-19-year-old’s pre-collegiate stint also saw him compete for the under-16 and under-18 Gilas Pilipinas teams and the Magis Eagles in the NBTC tournament.

While the CESAFI Most Valuable Player acknowledged that he faced high-caliber competition when playing for those teams, he emphasized that players in Cebu were just as capable as those from Manila and elsewhere. Bahay also highlighted his experience playing for Batang Gilas (now Gilas Youth) as one of his fondest memories.

Despite the unprecedented hype he received as a high schooler, Bahay shared that he was not too worried, focusing instead on more unselfish matters. “[I felt] no pressure naman, kasi di ko naman iniisip yun eh, ang iniisip ko is what’s good for the team ([I felt] no pressure because I wasn’t thinking about that, I was thinking about what’s good for the team,)” the freshman shared.

Tumultuous recruitment phase

Seeking a new environment, Bahay departed from the Eagles’ nest and announced an early commitment to the University of the Philippines. Almost a year later, however, the premier prospect had a change of heart and returned home, with an eagerness to continue his Jesuit education.

“Since I’m from Ateneo de Cebu, naging blue-blooded na ako (Since I’m from Ateneo de Cebu, I became blue-blooded already.)” Bahay explained, reflecting on the factors that influenced his recommitment.

Spending most of his childhood within the comfort of Atenean walls, Bahay wanted to further connect with the Ateneo community, which he has always known to be a welcoming and supportive group. In addition to growing up under the tutelage of the Sacred Heart program, he cited that some of his former teammates including Kristian Porter, Michael Asoro, and Raffy Celis—who recently left the Ateneo—were also committed to the Loyola Heights-based squad.

For Bahay, his choice seemed to be the most fitting for his collegiate career, given his familiarity with the Atenean culture, environment, and values. Despite his assurances that Ateneo was where his heart belonged, many criticized the teenager’s decision. The prized cager admitted to feeling immense pressure by the insensitive backlash and persistent questions on his commitment status at the time.

Nevertheless, the social media buzz did not deter Bahay from choosing what he thought was best for him. Grateful for the guidance of his family and friends throughout the process, the Blue Eagle confidently affirmed, “I made the right decision to play for Ateneo.”

Returning home

While proudly calling Ateneo home, Bahay has stepped into a new chapter of his career, one he acknowledges will have its fair share of difficulties.

According to the highly-touted youngster, staying both physically and mentally fit is more crucial than ever, given the heightened level of competition. While transitioning to collegiate-level basketball is complex—especially under Head Coach Tab Baldwin’s detail-oriented system—Bahay believes his coaches from Cebu have equipped him with the necessary skills to adapt quickly.

Getting his first taste of collegiate basketball in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, the now-former SHS-AdC stalwart experienced a harsh awakening as Ateneo went winless in the tournament.

“We are actually underdogs. We know that already and we recognize it. But, we are starting to work on it [to] become top dogs again,” mentioned the Blue Eagle. This improvement that Bahay sought would be seen a few months later when Ateneo put together an undefeated run in the Fu Jen Catholic University Cup in Taiwan.

Despite the Blue Eagles being in unfamiliar territory, fans remain hopeful that with the highly-anticipated rookie, the team will continue to show signs of growth throughout the UAAP season.

Acknowledging the lofty expectations placed on him given his previous accolades, Bahay promises to give his best for the Blue and White. He also stated that his earlier experiences in high-pressure situations taught him to block out the noise. “‘Di ko lang sila iisipin, focus lang sa gameplan namin (I will not think about them. I will just focus on our game plan,)” he shared.

Amid all the attention on his freshman season, Bahay expressed his joy and excitement in being an Ateneo student-athlete—particularly off the court. Ready to meet many new faces in his college life, he described himself as a friendly and kind person, always willing to wave back when greeted in public.

Reflecting on his journey, Bahay is confident that the road he has traveled has led him to the perfect destination. “Returning back home to Ateneo means I’m in the right place now,” declared by who many see as the future King Eagle.

The blue-blooded athlete is committed to excelling in both his academics and his pursuit of winning a UAAP title, showing his willingness to live the full Atenean experience. The humble yet hungry mentality of the rising star is one of many reasons why he is already viewed as an invaluable pillar to the Blue and White.

Driven by the yearning desire to represent his beloved alma mater, the true-blue athlete is poised to carry the school’s flag with pride and passion, waging One Big Fight for the Ateneo community.