By MARK REY MONTEJO
After weeks of “tug-of-war,” Veejay Pre finally made a decision, perhaps the hardest in a young but turbulent basketball career.
He’s leaving Far Eastern University for good – the school that helped polish his skills.
Pre disclosed this on a social media post Tuesday, May 20, saying it was his “hardest decision ever,” noting it was a thing that he carefully sat with his loved ones.
“As an athlete, growth and improvement matters deeply. But there comes a time in our lives when challenges arise, pushing us to make difficult decisions,” wrote Pre on a lengthy post.
“My family and I have come to a decision, and I’ve chosen to heed their wisdom and concerns,” he added. “This made me realize how much they only want the best for me and I can’t deny that taking this big step forward has been the hardest decision ever.”
Two weeks before Pre’s revelation, FEU athletic director Mark Molina shared that the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year wanted to stay as a Tamaraw.
According to Molina, Pre was pressured by his family as they were telling him to leave FEU to seek better opportunity.
That, however, turned into reality now as Pre opted to take a new leap in his promising career.
The 6-foot-5 versatile forward expressed his gratitude to the whole FEU community, especially to his coaches and teammates.
“Forever blessed and thankful that once in my life, I was once called a “TAMARAW,” he concluded. “Once a Tamaraw will always be a Tamaraw.”
The Floridablanca, Pampanga native was one of the key figures in the Sean Chambers-mentored group alongside Janrey Pasaol and Jorick Bautista as they helped the Tamaraws tally a 5-9 win-loss record to exit the season at sixth spot.
There, Pre averaged 13.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists – a statline tham helped him hoist the Best Rookie award.
