FEU’s Pre Takes Lead in UAAP ROTY Race Over Ateneo’s Bahay
Photo sources: UAAP Media Team
FEU’s Veejay Pre has taken a narrow lead in the UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year race over Jared Bahay of Ateneo, following a stellar individual performance over the weekend. Pre now leads with 51 statistical points (SPs), just edging out Bahay’s 50.6 SPs.
According to local statistician Johann Medina, who shares his work on X, the shift in the rankings comes on the heels of Pre’s explosive 31-point, 14-rebound performance in FEU’s loss to UST. Despite the defeat, Pre’s dominant showing allowed him to surpass Bahay in the Rookie of the Year race. Meanwhile, Bahay had an impressive game himself, scoring 22 points in ADMU’s hard-fought defeat against DLSU, but his contributions weren’t enough to retain the top spot.
This competition between Pre and Bahay has been one of the most exciting storylines in UAAP Season 86, as both rookies have proven themselves pivotal to their respective teams. Bahay has been instrumental in ADMU’s rebuild, playing the role of lead ball-handler, but Pre’s well-rounded contributions, highlighted by his performance against UST, now give him the slight advantage as the season heads into its final stretch. Both their teams have identical 3-7 records.
#UAAPSeason87 Men's Basketball MVP Race (Unofficial)
— Yohan (@johann999) October 28, 2024
As of Oct. 27, 2024
1. Quiambao
2. Phillips, M.
3. Momowei*
4. Cagulangan**
5. Padrigao
Rookie of the Year Race
1. Pre – rk 11***
2. Bahay – rk 12
3. Pasaol – rk 27 https://t.co/DhVS195FF7 pic.twitter.com/2lthTOF602
Mythical 5 Race Update
In other individual standings, La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao extended his lead in the MVP race with 86.82 SPs, comfortably ahead of teammate Mike Phillips, who has 73.36 SPs. The reigning MVP’s consistency in all facets of the game, from scoring to rebounding, has kept him ahead of the pack.
UE’s Precious Momowei, the standout foreign student-athlete (FSA), jumped into third place with 71.78 SPs, overtaking UP’s JD Cagulangan, who dropped to fourth at 71.71 SPs. Momowei’s athleticism and rebounding have been crucial for UE, and his rise in the rankings puts him in contention for a Mythical 5 spot.

Meanwhile, FEU’s Mo Konateh, another rookie standout, rounds out the top five with 66.9 SPs. However, despite his impressive numbers, Konateh isn’t eligible for the Rookie of the Year award since he isn’t a true freshman, a requirement for the distinction.
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Mythical 5 Picture
If the season ended today, the Mythical 5 would consist of Quiambao, Phillips, Momowei, Cagulangan, and UST’s Forth Padrigao, who currently sits at sixth with 59.27 SPs. However, the UAAP only allows one FSA in the Mythical 5, meaning either Momowei or Konateh would miss out on that spot. Given his higher ranking, Momowei would take the spot.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on both Pre and Bahay to see who emerges as the UAAP’s top rookie. With just 0.4 SPs separating them, every game counts in this tight race.