FEU's Pre grateful to be coached by lolo's favorite import

FEU's Pre grateful to be coached by lolo's favorite import

FEU was a pleasant surprise for just about everybody in the recently-concluded Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup.

Out of the playoff picture in the last two UAAP seasons, the Tamaraws charged to a third place finish in the preseason showcase, just right behind heavy favorites the University of the Philippines and La Salle.

While the school's proud tradition of producing quality guards continues in Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista, and Royce Alforque, it's actually the entry of Veejay Pre that has injected new life into the UAAP's winningest school in basketball.

Make no mistake, the likes of Arvin Tolentino, Ken Tuffin, Barkley Ebona, Richard Escoto, and Cholo Anonuevo were as solid as they come during their time in green and gold. They weren't, however, as versatile and as impactful at both ends as Mac Belo once was.

FEU's Veejay Pre

PHOTO: Filoil Preseason

Enter Pre - a 6-foot-5 forward who can initiate the play, knock down long-range shots, control the boards, and switch onto guards, all at the same time.

Mr. Veejay, can FEU make a request

That was already much evident in Pre's tenure with the Baby Tamaraws, as he was recognized as a National Basketball Training Center All-Star in back-to-back years. In his last year in UAAP boys basketball, he normed 14.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks.

Now suiting up for the Tamaraws, he continued to make the same sort of impact in the Filoil Preseason, with averages of 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists en route to Mythical Team honors.

All that turned first-year head coach Sean Chambers into a believer of the youngster from the get-go.

"You can plainly see that Veejay is an absolute star and Veejay's gonna have a long career as a pro," the former multi-time champion import with Alaska said. "And I think what's most impressive about Veejay is that he's such an amazing kid too."

FEU's Veejay Pre

PHOTO: Filoil Preseason

Despite the high praise from his legendary mentor, however, the 18-year-old is the first to say that he has got a long way to go before becoming either a "star" or a "pro."

"Unang-una po, siyempre, masaya ako kasi yung mga pinaghirapan ko, unti-unting lumalabas. Pero 'di pa rin po ako kuntento," he said.

"Yung tiwala po nila sa'kin, malaki kaya kailangan ko pa magtrabaho araw-araw. Para sa'kin, kulang pa po ang linalaro ko, pero sana, darating nga rin po ako dun kung magtatrabaho pa po ako."

A Pre family affair in FEU

Good thing then for Pre that although he's a newcomer, FEU's stalwarts welcomed him with open arms.

"Nakaka-pressure din po sa una, pero nandyan naman mga kuya ko. Gina-guide nila ako na 'pag may opportunity, i-take lang lagi," he said, talking about veterans like Anonuevo.

And even better for the modern big, his family remains standing strong beside him - especially now that he's playing for his lolo's all-time favorite import.

FEU's Veejay Pre and lolo Alejandro Chavez

PHOTO: Veejay Pre

"'Di ko po siya nakita maglaro, pero kinukwento po siya sa'kin ng lolo ko. Sabi niya, grabe raw talaga si coach Sean nung naglalaro pa siya and marami raw akong matututunan sa kanya especially since pareho kami ng laro," he said.

Pre's grandfather Alejandro Chavez used to root for both Alaska and Ginebra when the two were clashing for PBA titles in the '90s. And just like many basketball fans back then, lolo was in awe of the import who did it all for coach Tim Cone and the Milkmen, all while unlocking the full potential of Johnny Abarrientos and Jojo Lastimosa - and even Poch Juinio and Bong Hawkins.

Now, Veejay is a firsthand witness to Chambers' greatness - albeit coming up with game plans instead of executing them.

"Unang-una po muna, kudos po kina coach Denok [Miranda] kasi nung wala pa si coach Sean, siya nagte-train sa'min. Pagdating naman ni coach Sean, grabe yung pag-motivate niya sa'min," he said, as Miranda held down the fort while Chambers was in the US in the early part of the Filoil Preseason to attend to personal matters, as well as take care of a few Fil-Am recruits.

"Talagang 100 percent effort ang hinihingi niya kahit sa practice pa lang kaya na-adapt na namin yun sa every possession sa every game."

At the same time he learns from one of the best - if not the best - PBA reinforcements, Pre also made it possible for his lolo Alejandro to meet Chambers.

"Madami na po akong natutunan sa kanya. Pinakaimportante po sa'kin yung kahit down ka na, dapat taas-noo ka pa rin. Ginagabayan niya po ako lagi kung ano pang kailangan ko para maging next level na player," he said.

Safe to say, the Pre family is already reaping the rewards of Veejay deciding to continue to "Be Brave" with FEU.