UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — While they have already moved on from the disappointment of losing a top recruit in Jared Bahay, the saga will nonetheless serve as a lesson for the University of the Philippines' men's basketball program.

This, according to UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol, who also stressed that they wish nothing but the best for their former recruit.

"We really thought that he's going to be a very big part of our program, 'no. Kung hindi siya magaling, hindi namin siya kukunin two years before he graduated," Perasol told ABS-CBN News on Friday, at the sidelines of UP's send-off for its student-athletes for the second semester sports of UAAP Season 86.

"But, for me, and even my management group, kami naman ay nakaka-intindi na siyempre, pwede namang magbago 'yung pag-iisip ng isang student-athlete. And he made his choice," he added.

UP had announced in March 2023 that Bahay had committed to the Fighting Maroons.

It was a recruiting coup for Perasol and UP, as the point guard was considered the top high school recruit in the country. Bahay had committed early; he would only be eligible to play in the UAAP starting Season 87.

But on January 5, UP confirmed that Bahay was no longer committed to play for their men's basketball team. Twenty days later, Ateneo de Manila University announced that Bahay will instead play for the Blue Eagles.

UAAP: Jared Bahay no longer committed to playing for UP Fighting Maroons

UAAP: Jared Bahay's new home is Ateneo

"Sad for us, and also good for Ateneo," Perasol said.

Perasol, who previously coached Ateneo and UP before taking on the role of UP's athletic director, made it clear that he wants Bahay to succeed.

"It doesn't matter whether he plays for Ateneo or even wherever. So now, we're just happy for him," he said.
Coach Tab Baldwin and Jared Bahay. Handout/Ateneo de Manila University"Pwede siyang maging lesson sa amin na hindi 'yan sure way of collaring a blue-chip player. Kasi, pwede pa siyang magbago ng isip, 'no," said Perasol, who also recalled a similar situation during his time with the Blue Eagles.

"It reminded me of Kib Montalbo, na before he came to Ateneo, siguro mga three years na, andoon siya nagpa-practice. And then Kib, they decided to go to La Salle," he said. "So 'yun ang reminder ko na hindi naman talaga assurance, na 'pag na-andiyan siya sa'yo, mauuwi siya sa'yo."

"What really matters is kung kanino sila mage-enroll."

Bahay can play for Ateneo starting Season 87; in a statement, Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin called him "a significant part of our program."

-- MOVING ON --

It did not take UP long to find its footing. Just four days after Bahay confirmed his commitment to Ateneo, UP announced that Rey Remogat will transfer to State U from the University of the East.

Perasol stressed that they did not try to lure Remogat from UE, noting that the point guard was not even in their plans.

"If you go back again to the story, we already had Jared. Wala siya [Remogat] sa picture eh. And then after noong nawala si Jared, we were looking for somebody to acquire, his name came out because he said he's really going somewhere, he's going to go out from UE," said Perasol.

Remogat is a proven performer in the UAAP, having averaged 16.5 points, a league-leading 7.9 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals for the Red Warriors in Season 86 en route to earning Mythical Team honors.
 Former UE point guard Rey Remogat can play for UP starting UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media/File.He will still have to serve one season of residency before becoming eligible in Season 88 -- just in time to take the place of JD Cagulangan, who will play his final year with UP in Season 87.

While glad to have acquired a talent of Remogat's caliber, Perasol won't deny that the UAAP is becoming concerned with the recent trend of high-profile players leaving their schools.

Before Remogat, former UE big man Gani Stevens also left the Red Warriors to transfer to UP; just last week, Kean Baclaan transferred from National University to De La Salle University despite being a featured player for the Bulldogs.

It did not take UP long to find its footing. Just four days after Bahay confirmed his commitment to Ateneo, UP announced that Rey Remogat will transfer to State U from the University of the East.

Perasol stressed that they did not try to lure Remogat from UE, noting that the point guard was not even in their plans.

"If you go back again to the story, we already had Jared. Wala siya [Remogat] sa picture eh. And then after noong nawala si Jared, we were looking for somebody to acquire, his name came out because he said he's really going somewhere, he's going to go out from UE," said Perasol.

Remogat is a proven performer in the UAAP, having averaged 16.5 points, a league-leading 7.9 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals for the Red Warriors in Season 86 en route to earning Mythical Team honors.
 Former UE point guard Rey Remogat can play for UP starting UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media/File.He will still have to serve one season of residency before becoming eligible in Season 88 -- just in time to take the place of JD Cagulangan, who will play his final year with UP in Season 87.

While glad to have acquired a talent of Remogat's caliber, Perasol won't deny that the UAAP is becoming concerned with the recent trend of high-profile players leaving their schools.

Before Remogat, former UE big man Gani Stevens also left the Red Warriors to transfer to UP; just last week, Kean Baclaan transferred from National University to De La Salle University despite being a featured player for the Bulldogs.

UAAP: Kean Baclaan is headed to La Salle

UAAP: Fueled by La Salle's title run, Gani Stevens vows to step up for UP in Season 87

"We talked about it in the Board of Managing Directors, that we need to find a way, how we can control this," said Perasol. "That's in the mind of the Board of Managing Directors and the Board of Trustees — how to make the playing field fair."

"'Yun ang pinag-uusapan namin, and we're looking for ways on how that's not going to happen again, maybe in the near future."

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