UP newcomer Jacob Bayla earned the favor of older teammates JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon early in UAAP Season 87.
In a roster as stacked as the UP Fighting Maroons, it can be difficult to stand out as a first-year player.
But Fil-Am rookie Jacob Bayla has made his presence felt as early as his second game in UAAP Season 87, drawing praise from the veterans of the team – JD Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon.
Though the bigger stars in their 10-point victory over UE on Saturday, 81-71, Cagulangan and Alarcon noticed the impact that Bayla was able to make in the all-around team win that propelled the Maroons to a 2-0 start to the year.
Already in the starting lineup as a first year, Bayla sparked a strong start and finished with a respectable stat line of seven points, four rebounds, one assist and one block – adding to that, he only had one turnover in his 24 minutes of play.
After the match, Cagulangan spoke about Bayla’s work ethic, one doesn’t think about who they're facing and always gives his best every game.
[Related: Just two games in, UP Fighting Maroons already play with sense of urgency for UAAP Season 87 title bid]
“Si Jacob made-describe ko sa kanya warrior talaga siya eh. And kahit sa practice, wala siyang paki kung sino kaharap niya, napatunayan ko yan nung nag out of the country kami. And nandun yung tibay ng loob niya every game,” said Cagulangan.
“Every time na naglalaro siya sa loob, binibigay niya lahat ng effort niya, mapa-offense man or defense,” he added.
More than his skills, Cagulangan appreciated Bayla’s willingness to listen to his older teammates – especially since the 18-year-old grew up in the US.
“Ang maganda kay Jacob, nakikinig siya sa mga kuyas niya and na-appreciate namin yung ganung ugali niya especially he’s from the States. So tingin niya samin, yung respeto, andoon, binabalik lang din namin sa kanya yung respeto,” he said.
Alarcon, for his part, applauded Bayla’s readiness to step up to the plate whenever someone on the team needs his support.
“Obviously, [si] Jacob makikita natin malaki yung potential niya. Nagdala lang siguro sa kanya yung character niya din as a player, nakikita ko outside and inside basketball, nakikita ko na maayos na tao si Jacob,” said Alarcon.
“Yun nga, sa practice, at saka sa mga games, nakikita ko na ready siya mag-step up in case na pangit, or maganda yung nilalaro ng mga ka-position niya,” he added.
The two seniors will hope that Bayla continues to impact the team as the season goes along.
Their next assignment will test the Maroons from top to bottom of the roster, facing the NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, September 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.