Rising FEU rookie Pre dominates preseason tourney anew, notches MVP crown

FEU Advocate
July 06, 2024 17:12


By Leiniel A. Santos

After an impressive season in the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw rookie Veejay Pre earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and a Mythical Five spot in the 2024 Sinag Liga Asya (SLA) Junior Philippines Born 2004 last Monday, July 1, held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The super rookie averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks during the whole SLA season. Adding to his achievements from the Filoil EcoOil preseason play, Pre now holds two Mythical Five awards.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, the Morayta-based cager shared that he is happy of his recent feat but is still not content since his main goal is in the upcoming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Masaya syempre, ngayon lang ako naka-receive ng mga ganitong award. Sabi nga nila, ‘Hard work pays off,’ but hindi pa rin ako kuntento kasi ang goal talaga is ang UAAP (I am happy, of course, that I have just received such awards. Just like they say, 'Hard work pays off' but I'm still not satisfied because the goal is really the UAAP),” he said.

The tournament is the SLA’s first-ever season of all born-2004 players, which comprised incoming young athletes in major leagues in the country, including the UAAP.

During the finals match against the Hustle Rising Suns, Pre led the Pampanga Delta Pradera Theme Park, 94-88, to become the first-ever champions of the SLA all-2004 tournament.

The green-and-gold rookie fired up a double-double performance of 19 markers and 11 rebounds during the said championship match. 

With Pre being the main gunner of his team, he shared that his experience during the season helped him boost his confidence. 

Napakalaking tulong sa’kin nito, especially sa experience ko [because] mas lalong na-boost ‘yung confidence ko, especially ‘yung pagiging leader sa loob ng court, mas lalo kong natutuhan (It's a great help to me, especially with my experience [because] my confidence has been boosted even more, especially being a leader inside the court, I've learned more),”

Daniel Padilla, Basti Reyes, and former Tamaraw Renzo Competente of Hustle Rising Suns, together with Andy Gemao of JProject Saints, joined Pre as the Mythical Five awardees.

SLA is a basketball league in the country that highlights rising talents in hopes to improve international presence and take the champion team to various competitions in Southeast Asia.

(Photo courtesy of the Sinag Liga Asya Facebook page)