Fil-Am recruit Jacob Bayla accepts a difficult defensive assignment in stride in first-ever UAAP Finals experience.
For any player in the UAAP, it is a difficult task to be the main defender of soon-to-be named two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao.
But for Fil-Am UP rookie Jacob Bayla, it’s a task that he’s willing to take on.
During Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals between UP and La Salle, Bayla was able to clamp down on Quiambao in the second half, which keyed the Fighting Maroons' 73-65 victory to move on the cusp of the championship.
[RELATED: UP Fighting Maroons repulse La Salle to take Game 1 of UAAP Season 87 Finals]
After KQ scored 18 points in the first half for La Salle, Bayla was able to limit Quiambao to just one point in the last two quarters — and a 0-of-6 clip from the field.
Though a difficult ask to guard a player with the calibre of Quiambao, who is expected to be named runaway MVP again, Bayla was eager to take on whatever role that was needed to achieve victory.
“Yeah, last night they just told me to stay ready whenever I come in. I just had that mindset to work hard and just play my best. Play with a lot of heart,” said Bayla.
“You know where I come from, I'm from the States I got a lot to prove here, so just guarding the best player is really honorable,” he added.
In a roster as stacked as the UP Fighting Maroons, it was difficult for Bayla to get his rhythm going with the likes of JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Francis Lopez, and one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown among the go-to players for UP.
Though struggling with his scoring, Bayla was delighted to help his team with the other essentials to get the victory.
“It's definitely more physical [here in the Philippines]. Everyone here has heart, and they play very hard. I just keep on learning every single day. I've been struggling offensively, but where I can make an impact to the team is defensively,” said the rookie.
“I’m very happy for my teammates and my coach for trusting me,” Bayla continued.
With Quiambao and DLSU squad raring to bounce back in Game 2, Bayla will have his work cut out for him again. But as long as he’s ready to give all he’s got, Bayla believes that the Fighting Maroons have the chance to finish it off in the next game.
“[We] just come back with the same energy and play with that heart again,” he said.
UP tries to close out the series against La Salle in Game 2 on Wednesday, December 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.