With a Chip on His Shoulder, Jacob Bayla Delivers for UP
Photo: UAAP Media Team
The night before Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals, UP Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde had just one piece of advice for Jacob Bayla: “Be ready.”
That brief instruction simmered in Bayla’s mind as he went to bed, a simple but powerful reminder that his moment to make a difference could come at any time. True to his coach’s trust, Bayla didn’t disappoint. The rookie guard came off the bench with relentless energy, helping UP secure a critical 73-65 win against the DLSU Green Archers to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals series.
“We talked yesterday, he just said, ‘Be ready.’ That’s the only thing he gave me,” Bayla recalled after the game in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR.
“So, I just pondered on that, slept on it. That’s been my thing the whole season. Whenever I get in, I try to make an impact. Whether it’s on offense or defense. My offense hasn’t been clicking these past couple of games, but you know, whenever I come in, I just… I have tips for myself. Hustle, run my way, and… that’s the two I remember. I hustle and give it my all.”
That hustle was on full display against a tough La Salle squad led by league MVP Kevin Quiambao (KQ). For Bayla, matching up against a player of Quiambao’s caliber was both a challenge and a privilege.
“Just knowing that he’s another person too. KQ, you know, he’s a really great player. I really look up to him. He’s one of the best players in the Philippines. It’s an honor to go against that type of talent. Yeah, I’m just ready for the next game,” Bayla said.
Bayla’s journey to this point hasn’t been without hurdles. Born and raised in the U.S., he carries with him the mentality of someone who always had something to prove. His defensive intensity and drive stem from a deep-seated hunger to make his mark, both in the UAAP and beyond.
“Mentally, I always take pride [in] my defense. You know, that greed, that hunger, where I come from. I have a chip on my shoulder for sure, not getting a lot of stuff from the US. But coming in here and trying to prove myself and make a name for myself, that’s my mindset.”
The Fighting Maroons have benefited immensely from that mindset. While Bayla is only in his first year, he’s already shown flashes of the player he can become, embracing every learning moment and every opportunity given by the coaching staff.
“I say, you know, whenever they run the play for me, just trying to capitalize off the opportunity, but I’m not trying to force things. It’s still my first year, I have a lot to learn. Just learning every day and getting the trust from the coaches.”
His presence on the UP roster is the result of a pivotal decision during recruitment. While La Salle showed initial interest, it was UP who demonstrated a deeper desire to have him, something Bayla deeply values.
“It’s an honor. You know, whether I went there or not, I’m happy to be in the Philippines. I’m happy to play for the UAAP. UP was the school that really wanted me.”
As the Finals progresses, Bayla and the Maroons know the work isn’t done. The challenge ahead is steep, and La Salle is sure to respond with urgency in Game 2. But for Bayla, the message remains the same: be ready, hustle, and give it his all.
If Game 1 is any indication, Jacob Bayla’s fearlessness is not just a promise — it’s a guarantee.
