The UP Fighting Maroons will represent the Philippines in the upcoming second season of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL). For forward Veejay Pre, the team’s practices carry championship-level importance as they prepare for the international stage and, later on, UAAP Season 89.
“Kumbaga, sabi sa amin ni Coach Gold, every day is a championship sa practice namin,” Pre said in an exclusive interview with Rebanse during UP’s AUBL Media Day.
Always Ready Mantra for Veejay Pre
Fans have noticed one constant this offseason—Veejay Pre’s emergence as the Fighting Maroons’ go-to option.
Whether in the Asiabasket NSAC or the Filoil EcoOil Preseason, the former FEU Tamaraws Rookie of the Year has consistently stepped into the role.
“Sa akin lang po, always ready lang po ako kasi fina-follow ko lang yung pinapagawa sa akin ng mga coach, and then tiwala lang ako sa sarili ko, and always ready lang ako,” said the 20-year-old.
Pre also expressed excitement about representing the Philippines against elite college players from around the world.
“Ok naman po, and excited kasi makakasali po kami sa tournament, kasi makakalaban po namin yung best schools, and marerepresent po namin yung country.”
Now entering his sophomore year in UAAP Season 89 after sitting out Season 88 due to eligibility issues, Pre has been a fixture in UP’s offseason campaigns.
UP reached the quarterfinals of the Asiabasket NSAC, bowing to the NU Bulldogs after a four-game winning streak. As of this writing, the Fighting Maroons have raced out to an unbeaten record in the ongoing FilOil EcoOil Preseason Tournament.
International Experience to Carry Over into UAAP Season 89
Beyond local tournaments, UP also completed an exhibition tour in Canada.
After losses to Edge National Prep in Calgary, Alberta, and Drive Basketball All-Stars in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Fighting Maroons broke through in their final stop, defeating the Edmonton Collegiate All-Stars in Edmonton, Alberta, to finish with a 1-2 record.
With competitive games in Canada and soon in China, Pre believes these international experiences will translate into success when UAAP Season 89 tips off in September.
“Maganda naman yung [mga naging] preparations namin. So yun ang laking bagay nun kasi nakukuha namin yung good habits na yun, and dadalhin namin sa mga future games namin.”
The Fighting Maroons have reached the UAAP finals in five straight seasons. Despite falling short last year, expectations remain high for another deep run come December.
This upcoming season, Veejay Pre is poised to be one of UP’s key weapons waiting to be fully unlocked when the official season begins. With mainstays Rey Remogat, Jacob Bayla, and Gani Stevens still in the lineup, the Fighting Maroons have the pieces to potentially build a new dynasty in Katipunan.
