GREAT things start from small beginnings.
From their days as young dreamers at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu to the UAAP’s big stage, Ateneo rookies Jared Bahay and Kristian Porter have come a long way.
While it hasn’t been the start to their collegiate careers either of them would’ve envisioned, to still have each other’s backs since grade school means everything and more.
Results aside, even with a rather dismal two-win haul in eight games in Season 87, the homegrown Ateneo duo wouldn’t have had it any other way.
There’s one word Bahay used to best describe his good pal ‘Ports’ as a player: a ‘monster.’
"Ports is a monster. His rebounding, he’s a rebounding machine. He’s a beast in the paint. I love it," Bahay told SPIN.ph.
PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau
Porter, meanwhile, shared how he learned a thing or two from Bahay’s level-headedness on the court.
Simply put, 'J-House' made him feel at home just by being a wise head on young shoulders.
"I admire his composure, his ability to take big shots in big moments. He likes that. He likes the feeling," Porter said.
"Also, he's really, really, really smart. He can see the game well, and he has a feel for his fellow players on the court."
Having pre-existing chemistry as longtime teammates - both for school and country with Gilas Pilipinas Youth - allowed Porter and Bahay to build a tight-knit bond that has translated on the court.
And they both understand how important it is to be each other’s brother’s keeper.
PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau
"It’s very important. ‘Di na kami mahihirapan to build chemistry. We're just going to lead by example and pass it to our teammates and to our team to rebuild that winning culture," said Bahay.
Porter furthered, "Like what JB said, we go way back and we're gonna make the most out of that chemistry that we've built up for the past years and hopefully, bring it to our team."
2024-10-13T14:15:31Z