Veejay Pre: From FEU Standout to UP Maroon – A Timeline

Every now and then, a rookie arrives not with fanfare, but with something rarer: gravity. Veejay Pre was one such name. Once the golden boy of Morayta—driven by family, loyalty, and the dream of building something lasting with FEU—he now finds himself on the cusp of change, with Diliman in his sights. From the moment he stepped onto the court as a rookie, ALL-STAR had its eyes on Veejay Pre. In this timeline of events, we retrace his path from Morayta to Diliman—a story of homegrown loyalty reshaped by bold choices, and a career already being defined before it reaches its peak.

TIMELINE: Veejay Pre’s Shift From FEU to UP

September 30, 2024 – “FEU ‘yong tumulong sa’kin nung wala pa ako, and napagaling nila ako.”

In this feature, How Love for Family and FEU Motivated Veejay Pre, Veejay Pre’s dedication to his family and FEU is highlighted. His performance against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, where he contributed crucial points, showcased his commitment and potential as a rising star in the UAAP.

“FEU ‘yong tumulong sa’kin nung wala pa ako, and napagaling nila ako. Binigyan nila ako ng opportunity makapag-college, and ginrab ko agad ‘yon,” said Pre. “Unang una pala, nagpapa-thank you ako sa fans ng FEU. Thank you sa support niyo, manalo, matalo. Sa management ng FEU, kela Boss Anton, kela Sir Mark, sa lahat ng coach, thank you.”

November 6, 2024 – Recognition from a UAAP MVP

A week after Veejay Pre expressed gratitude toward FEU, standout player from De La Salle University Kevin Quiambao dubbed him a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Superstar’.

This acknowledgment from a seasoned player underscored Pre’s growing reputation in the league.

November 16, 2024 – Veejay Pre says he is 100% committed to playing out UAAP career with FEU

In an exclusive interview, Pre expressed his unwavering commitment to FEU, emphasizing his plans to continue his UAAP career with the Tamaraws and become champions.

“Sobrang 100% yan kasi may goal kami nila Janrey [Pasaol], Jedrick [Daa] na from high school gusto namin mag champion sa college. Hindi namin kakalimutan yun kasi sobrang thankful kami sa FEU na dito kami naglalaro,” Pre told ALL-STAR.

May 7, 2025 – Pre’s Family Informs FEU of Decision to Leave University

Six months after declaring his commitment to play for FEU, Veejay Pre’s family informed FEU of his decision to leave the university.

This was a decision made collectively by Pre’s family who informed FEU management of their intentions in person.

FEU’s top decision-makers—led by athletic director Mark Molina, program head Denok Miranda, and head coach Sean Chambers—had remained hopeful they could convince the Pre family to let Veejay finish his collegiate career as a Tamaraw. They believed that deep down, the reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year still wanted to stay where it all began.

May 21, 2025 – Official Departure from FEU

Veejay Pre took to social media to announce his departure from the FEU basketball program, marking the end of his tenure with the Tamaraws. He expressed gratitude for his time at FEU and looked forward to new challenges ahead.

May 23, 2025 – Veejay Pre Expected to Join UP Maroons

ALL-STAR Magazine broke the news that Veejay Pre is expected to join the UP Fighting Maroons. This potential move has generated significant buzz, as it could significantly bolster UP’s roster and impact the dynamics of the upcoming UAAP season.

Pre and his family were finalizing their commitment to UP on Friday, May 23. Meanwhile, NU, UST, Mapua, and Adamson also made their pitch to recruit Veejay. La Salle—once Pre’s original preferred destination—entered the conversation late. But by then, he and his family were already leaning toward UP.