Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Jorick Bautista emphasized his obligation to be an example to the rookie-laden basketball team after being hailed the University of Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Player of the Week (POW) by the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) last October 20. 

“Me, as a kuya, kailangan ko[ng] maging role model sa kanila. Dapat unang-una, ako [ang] gagawa ng mga tama inside and outside the court kasi sa’min sila nakatingin (As an older brother, I have to be a role model for them. First and foremost, I need to do the right things both on and off the court because they look up to me),” he said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

Despite starting the second round with a 1-6 win-loss record, the FEU Tamaraws bounced back with two consecutive wins against Adamson University (AdU) and National University (NU), marking the green-and-gold squad’s first-ever winning streak in UAAP Season 87.

Against the AdU Soaring Falcons last October 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Bautista’s leadership was pivotal, delivering in the high-pressure moments and knocking down the clutch overtime-forcing triple. He logged 21 points, with 14 being from the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Morayta-based captain then delivered 17 markers, including the win-sealing trey, in their latest game against the NU Bulldogs last October 16 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

Being the Player of the Game of both matches, Bautista averaged 19 points, five rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game which earned him the title from CPC.

In their very first win of the season against Ateneo de Manila University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last September 29, the green-and-gold gunner was also the one who stepped up with 18 points, 14 of which were also from the fourth frame and overtime.

Considering his impressive performances, Bautista expressed gratitude to those who support him.

​​“Thankful ako sa coaches and teammates ​ko​ kasi sobrang laki ng tiwala nila sa’kin.​ ​Kung ‘di rin po dahil sa kanila, ‘di ko magagawa ‘yun.​ ​Sobrang nagpapasalamat rin ako sa Panginoon at sa parents ko na lumuwas pa ng Manila para manood ng games ko (I am thankful to my coaches and teammates for having so much trust in me.​ If it weren't for them, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. I'm also very grateful to the Lord and to my parents, who even traveled to Manila to watch my games),” he added.

​​Now that the Tamaraws are back in the Final Four contention, the UAAP POW also shared their goal to remain focused on their approach for the rest of the season.

“Just one possession at a time and one game at a time lang po talaga ‘yung mindset namin, and​ for the FEU community, we will do our best every game,” Bautista stated.

Despite the green-and-gold cagers’ win streak ending against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) yesterday, October 27, at the MOA Arena, they look to bounce back against the University of the East on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City.

- Aine Peralta
(Photo by Gwyneth Mendoza/FEU Advocate)