Veejay Pre heeds family advice, leaves FEU

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Veejay Pre calls it the 'hardest decision ever' as the UAAP Rookie of the Year bids FEU goodbye

MANILA, Philippines – Veejay Pre is leaving FEU for good.

Pre on Wednesday, May 21, announced that his time as a Tamaraw has ended after weeks of drama and speculation revolving around his looming departure from FEU.

“I believe that leaving and saying ‘goodbye’ is never easy and accepting things is the most painful part,” Pre wrote in a Facebook post published at exactly midnight.

“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.”

The move came weeks after FEU athletic director Mark Molina bared last May 8 that the talented forward was being “forced to leave” by his family despite his desire to stay and aspirations of leading the Tamaraws to a UAAP championship.

Molina said Pre even asked help to convince his father to let him remain at FEU, to no avail.

“My family and I have come to a decision and I’ve chosen to heed their wisdom and concerns,” said Pre. “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.”

Losing Pre is a big blow to a Tamaraws side that showed promise in Season 87 as the team finished sixth with a 5-9 record, dropping a number of close encounters and falling short of a Final Four spot.

After all, Pre won Rookie of the Year after putting up a team-high 13.3 points on 40% shooting to go with 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

“Thank you for the life-changing, wonderful experiences and opportunities you’ve given me and my family. I owe FEU so much, and I will always treasure the good deeds, memories, lessons, heartbreaks, and laughter we’ve shared,” said Pre.

“I will be forever grateful as a ‘Tamaraw’ and to have experienced the colorful life that FEU and its community bring.”

Pre also expressed gratitude to Molina, his coaches including Sean Chambers and Denok Miranda, and his teammates, many of whom he played with since their time with the Baby Tamaraws.

“[I] appreciate your big support for me and making these five years one of the most meaningful memories in my life. I have found family and friends in you. You all have a special place in my heart,” he said.

As Pre bid FEU farewell, questions regarding his next destination already started to swirl. – Rappler.com