Patience will be a virtue for coach Tab Baldwin as Jared Bahay looks to lead a rebuilding Ateneo Blue Eagles team.
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin isn’t about to hurry prized rookie Jared Bahay into developing maturity and skills as he joins the Blue Eagles in their campaign in UAAP Season 87.
With only his debut game out of the way against a top contender in UP on Saturday night, Baldwin doesn’t expect the Cebuano to realize his potential right away, especially with all that is happening off the court as well.
“He’s a very good leader. His talent, that will be evident throughout the season. But he’s still a young player. He’s gonna make mistakes.” said Baldwin of Bahay.
Though finishing with a team-high 13 points, Bahay took a hit when it came to efficiency, as he went 3-of-11 from the field. Ateneo lost to UP in a blowout, 77-61.
[Related: UAAP: JD Cagulangan, UP Fighting Maroons trump new-look Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 87 opener]
But Bahay’s shooting woes aside, Baldwin is more interested in having him develop into a leader that can mobilize his Blue Eagles to their fullest potential.
With the team rebuilding this season, Baldwin wants to see Bahay eventually take the reins in making things happen for his team.
“I think Jared is gonna recognize these situations. He’s gonna rise to the occasion because he’s a player of that caliber. But it isn’t gonna happen overnight.” said Baldwin.“There’s gonna be mistakes made in the process so you know overall, his game was okay. I expect more. But there wasn’t really a negative.”
Bahay himself said that though it was far from perfect, he wasn’t surprised about anything that unfolded in the process.
More than the outside noise – which also included jeers from the UP community at the Big Dome – Bahay looked within Baldwin’s system and what he needed to do to help the team improve and get wins.
“Expect ko na yun na maraming tao. Siguro finace ko lang yung challenge na binigay sa akin,” said Bahay.
“I didn’t worry about my game. All I was thinking about was Coach Tab’s game plan.” he added.
Bahay is a product of the Ateneo system through their Cebu affiliate school Sacred Heart School.
[Related: UAAP: JD Cagulangan urges UP fans to quit throwing jeers at Ateneo’s Jared Bahay]
Prior to this year, Bahay actually committed to the UP Fighting Maroons before ultimately finding his way back into the Blue Eagles’ nest for UAAP Season 87.
Bahay and the rest of the Blue Eagles hope for better results after their loss to UP when they face the UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, September 11, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.