Rookies Rising: Exciting Journeys For The UAAP’s Fresh Faces
The UAAP has become a massive launching pad for new generations of basketball stars to rise, and when a batch of newcomers enter with a certain mix of swagger, game, and style, it doesn’t take long for them to steal the spotlight.
Why? Well, fresh faces tend to add excitement and curiosity with the type of intensity and confidence that belies their inexperience on the hardwood. While others might need time to get acclimated to their new surroundings and challenges, some immediately prove they belong on the league’s brightest stage while being serenaded by the roars and jeers of thousands in attendance.
These are the stars for tomorrow. They are icons in the making.
On a laid-back Sunday afternoon at Nolita Joe’s pizza parlor in Poblacion, these rookies seem worlds away from the intensity of the court. Gathered around tables with plates of deliciously fresh pepperoni pizza and their closest friends, they’re poking fun at each other, goofing off, and busting out TikTok dances without a care in the world. The tension of nailing crunch-time shots or being in the perfect defensive stance feels like a distant memory. There will be plenty of those high-stakes moments soon enough, but right now, they’re just teenagers, embracing the freedom of youth. Dressed to impress in their outfits – care of Varsity Lifestyle Co. – they exude effortless charm and star power, looking every bit like the future of UAAP basketball— with all the endless possibilities that await.
On one side of the pizza parlor, three of Fil-Nation Select’s highly-touted recruits are caught up in a story that never fails to make them laugh. The memory still brings out the chuckles. Back when New Jersey-based De La Salle rookie Alex Konov was visiting California, he once sat in a parking lot floor and refused to move because his best friend, Filipino-Canadian-Pakistani Zain Mahmood, had taken his “spot” in the car. Determined to take a stand, Alex dug in and wouldn’t budge, much to their caretaker’s frustration, who left them with a simple instruction: “You guys work your shit out.” To this day, Alex jokes he was in the right, while Zain just shakes his head. “What would happen if Kevin Quiambao—superstar teammate and UAAP MVP—took your spot in the car?” someone asks. Alex grins. “Yeah, I’d probably give it up right away,” he admits, as Zain rolls his eyes, exasperated but amused. Their brotherhood, in more ways than one, has survived the tests of time. It helps to have heart-to-heart conversations in the back of the team bus about manifesting the future while on duty for the national team.
Just as he finished laughing at the story, prize UP Maroons recruit Jacob Bayla is caught off guard when someone asks to borrow his hat. “Sure,” he replies, a bit confused but agreeable. Seconds later, the hat makes its way to Jared Bahay, whose eyes are locked on the mirror as makeup is applied for the upcoming photo shoot. “Jared, ito cap mo,” someone giggles, handing him the hat. Without missing a beat, Jared takes it, too focused on keeping still while sitting on the foldable high chair. But as the moments pass, he notices something fishy, finally glances down, and lets out a sarcastic laugh, realizing it’s not his hat. The room erupts in laughter, while Jared grins and asks for his blue cap instead of the maroon in his hand. What kind of alternate timeline would that be, huh?
As the conversation shifts, someone asks the group who they think will win Rookie of the Year. Without hesitation, all eyes turn to Veejay Pre, some even pointing in his direction. The moment isn’t lost on him—he’s visibly humbled by the respect from his peers, but true to form, he quickly tries to deflect the attention with a modest laugh and shrug. It’s genuine, too. Here stands one of the league’s most impressive newcomers, drawing comparisons to FEU legend Mac Belo, and yet he remains grounded. His journey from an end-of-the-roster hopeful, once cut from the national youth team, to a player on the brink of stardom is nothing short of remarkable. With the ideal combination of size, skill, and an unrelenting drive to succeed, Pre has all the tools to thrive in today’s game. And with his quiet confidence and unshakeable work ethic, it’s clear he was made to be a Tamaraw.
“Yong pinaka main goal ko po ngayon is makatulong po sa FEU na makabalik sa pagiging contender, and maka-balik sa Final Four, ‘yon nga po bonus nalang po kung makuha ko po ‘yon – Rookie of the Year,” he tells ALL-STAR Magazine.
In the corner of the pizza parlor, UE’s Nico Mulingtapang is in reflection, sharing his thoughts on the contrasting worlds of NCAA and UAAP basketball. Having come from Mapua’s high school program, the transition to Jack Santiago’s UE Red Warriors has opened his eyes to a new level of competition that reaches a wider range. “Nararamdaman ko na ‘yung atmosphere ng college basketball,” he admits, but he’s learning to deal with the new challenge.
His friend, Tebol Garcia, knows the feeling well. Fresh off an impressive final season with Adamson High School, where he led his team to the championship, Tebol’s journey almost took a different path. He nearly committed to Ateneo — a comment that prompts a sideways smirk from Bahay — while their fellow standout Vince Reyes almost donned the yellow and black of UST. But in a twist of fate, both ended up seizing the opportunity to join NU under the recruitment of Jeff Napa and his Bulldogs.
“Kailangan pa namin mag over-the-hump para makarating kami sa Finals. Kailangan pa namin i-gel ‘yung team namin ngayong season,” Tebol states, looking towards the future. Can he eventually bring the same magic he delivered in Adamson to a program that has now gone 10 years without winning a UAAP championship or sniffing the Finals?
Speaking of magic, that’s exactly the word to describe how Bahay played during his time with Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu. Over the course of his high school career, he led his team to three straight championships, cementing his legacy not only as the best player in his hometown but also as the top high school prospect in the nation, according to sports writers and pundits. Jared was a rockstar. His presence at games required extra security just to navigate him out of arenas after matches. Opposing teams threw every defensive scheme imaginable at him, but time and again, he found a way to break through. His initial commitment to the UP Maroons sent shockwaves across the basketball community, but that uproar was soon eclipsed when he made the stunning decision to retract his commitment and join the Ateneo Blue Eagles instead.
Bahay’s UAAP career has gotten off to a rocky start. While he hit his first few shots against UP — countering the passionate crowd’s boos with a display of self-belief — his once-reliable jumpshot hasn’t quite translated to the college level yet. As Ateneo searches for the winning formula after three straight losses, Jared has found himself struggling under the increased attention from defenders on the court. Part of the reason stems from the talent Ateneo lost in recent months, most notably Mason Amos, who switched from blue to green. The two had been close friends, with Mason even playing a key role in convincing Jared to return to Ateneo after his initial commitment to UP. But since Mason’s departure, communication between them has dwindled, echoing the distance between Amos and his former Blue Eagle teammates. Despite the losses and the early struggles, Jared remains confident in what this Ateneo squad can achieve, knowing that the road ahead is long and full of potential for redemption.
“Syempre, oo. Okay na okay. Kasi wala na kami magagawa do’n, ‘di na namin mahahandle. So move on na lang kami,” he shares to ALL-STAR Magazine about Ateneo’s departures.
“Of course, sobrang laking pressure,” he admits about the expectations bestowed on him. “’Yung sinasabi ng mga tao gan’yan para sa’kin, it’s a lot of pressure pero mahahandle ko rin.”
As the rookies finish up their makeup for the shoot, Adamson’s UAAP rookie AJ Fransman arrives, slightly late after a prior media engagement with his team ran long. His timing is a fitting reflection of his college basketball journey. Unlike everyone else in the room, AJ isn’t a “true freshman” straight out of high school. Before landing at Adamson, he played for Enderun College, where he faced UAAP teams only in off-season tournaments like Pinoyliga. It was during those games that Adamson scouted and recruited him. There are few stamps of approval more promising than the great Nash Racela finding hidden gems to develop.
Though he may be late to the UAAP party, Fransman brings with him a blend of self-confidence and humility, grounded by the experience of playing against collegiate-level competition. Unassuming and generous off the court, AJ’s on-court readiness sets him apart. His previous battles have prepared him for this type of grind, and it shows—Adamson is off to a 2-1 start in UAAP Season 87, with Fransman’s emerging role as a rising two-way wingman being a key factor in their early success.
“I have to prove to myself pa rin [that I belong],” Fransman proudly states during his interview.
“Isa sa mga sinabi ni Coach Nash sa’kin is to just play my game, just be [me], maglaro lang talaga ako. Mag-improve na lang sa mga on court, let’s say, mga ano kailangan gawin, mga pacing ko, when to go fast, when to go slow. He’s helping with my game talaga, so much.”
Mahmood and Konov entered UAAP Season 87 with considerable hype, justified by their impressive performances with Gilas Youth and in their respective US-based high school tournaments. However, their transition to the collegiate level has been slower than anticipated, with limited minutes on the floor so far. There are still aspects of their game that need refining to compete at this higher level. Currently, they’re seeing fewer minutes than some of their fellow rookies and teammates, like Amiel Acido and Doy Dungo. But the potential is there. With more time, experience, and the right development, both Mahmood and Konov have the ability to elevate not just their individual performances, but also the ceiling of their teams as the season progresses. Given that UST and DLSU are Final Four-caliber squads, it could become an x-factor in determining wins when the games matter most.
“I think it just depends how we come together as a team,” Mahmood responds when queried on what would enable UST to join DLSU and UP atop the league hierarchy.
“I’ve seen obviously flashes of us being great, and there are also flashes of us where we had trouble together communicating, getting to know each other. So, I think it’s just these first couple games will be really important, and how we mesh together and how we bond through those first couple games will be a big part of how our season will go. Whether or not I’m the answer, I don’t know, but I’m here to contribute as much as I can and just try to contribute to winning.”
As far as what Konov hears from his head coach, Topex Robinson:
“Coach Topex tells us every day that we’re not defending champions anymore. When we win, the next day, it’s in the past. So, you know, we’re winners of last season, but that doesn’t matter this year. We have the same chances as every other team. Depending on whoever shows up in the lineup, whoever steps foot in the court, last year doesn’t matter, and we’re just still trying to win.”
While Mahmood and Konov are still searching for their footing, Bayla has seamlessly integrated into UP’s deep and talented roster. Though he isn’t putting up the high-scoring numbers he was known for in Valley Christian High, Bayla’s versatility has made him an invaluable asset for Fighting Maroons head coach Gold Monteverde. His ability to adapt has turned him into a Swiss army knife on the court, ready to step up in whichever role the team needs him to fill. Whether it’s defending, facilitating, or providing outside shots, Bayla’s all-around game has allowed him to contribute in crucial ways, proving that he can thrive within a star-studded squad even without dominating the stat sheet.
Bayla was a top priority for UP since his sophomore year in high school. While Ateneo and La Salle showed interest, it was the Fighting Maroons who made him feel truly wanted. UP’s management went the extra mile—literally—flying to California multiple times to build a relationship with Bayla and his family, ensuring they felt secure and valued. That sense of safety and support has given Bayla the confidence to quickly adjust to his new environment. Now settled in, his commitment to UP’s ultimate goal—another championship—is evident in the way he’s fully dedicated himself to the team, embracing whatever role is asked of him to contribute to their success. And so far that role includes being a starter and second in minutes behind JD Cagulangan.
“Yeah, for sure. We’re definitely a championship contender team,” he declares, “and I feel like we have the talent to make it all the way to the championship. It’s just how we handle ourselves and play as a team. Because we have a lot of talent in our team, and I feel like we could go a long way.”
If their basketball careers are a marathon, then the last few weeks have merely been the opening laps. It’s tempting to overestimate the significance of these early moments, but the road ahead is long, filled with unexpected twists, turns, and surprises. For these eight rookies, the journey has only just begun, and their stories promise to be thrilling to follow. Where will they end up? Will they rise as stars or find themselves excelling in unexpected roles? The future may seem bright, but it’s also wonderfully unpredictable – and that’s exactly where the fun lies.
Watching their paths unfold will be as exciting as the games themselves.
