After sitting out a year to serve his residency, UP Fighting Maroons winger Veejay Pre is continuing to buy into the UP system as he helped last season’s runners-up in routing the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday to stay undefeated so far in his return to the UAAP.
Despite a sluggish performance against the UST Growling Tigers to open his chapter with the Katipunan‑based squad, Pre followed it up with a breakout performance against Ateneo, dropping 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists on an efficient 71% clip.
The Season 87 Rookie of the Year admitted to a taxing arrival to the squad but gave credit to head coach Goldwyn Monteverde, and his fellow veteran teammates, for their continued guidance throughout his journey with UP so far.
“Naging challenging, pero ginuide naman ako nila Coach Gold t’saka ng mga kuya ko. Binibigay ko lang ‘yung best ko,” Pre said postgame.
Veejay Pre Continues to Grow in UP Colors
Still with two seasons of his career left, Veejay Pre remains grateful for the opportunity to play with one of the league’s powerhouses and remains committed to the championship pedigree of Monteverde, who seized two titles with UP in Seasons 84 and 87.
“Thankful ako sa tiwala ng mga coaches lalo na kay Coach Gold sa ‘kin. Pumasok ako sa UP as a veteran, pero ang dami ko pang natutunan sa UP lalo na kay Coach Gold,” Pre said. “Sabi ko lang sa sarili ko na maging coachable ako, and bigay ko ‘yung best ko kapag naglalaro na.”
As the league heads to a two‑week break for the 20th Asian Games, Pre stressed that the team must stay focused in order to keep their stride when they return to the hardwood.
“Panoorin namin ‘yung game namin, ‘yung mga lapses na kailangan pa namin i‑improve. Sabi ni Coach Gold kung ano ginagawa namin sa training, ‘yun ‘yung lalabas sa court. Pahinga lang kami tapos trabaho ulit kami sa practice,” the 6‑foot‑4 forward said.
Veejay Pre and the Fighting Maroons will return to action on Saturday, September. 26, against the NU Bulldogs at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
