Former Gilas Youth standout Jacob Bayla commits to UP

Former Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout Jacob Bayla has committed to the University of the Philippines.

The UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development announced the development on Sunday.

The 18-year old 6-foot-5 wing said he considered the Fighting Maroons' basketball and academic programs.

"UP has a great basketball program. They compete, they play hard, they play at a high level. I particularly love the coaching staff, as they've been coming to the US every year since I was 15 to come watch me play," Bayla said in a statement released by UP.

"Ultimately, I believe UP will support and guide me throughout my basketball journey, help me improve my game, and hold me accountable. They're the school that really believed in me since day one.

"Aside from basketball, UP is a great academic school. I always took pride and academics and I know they have the tools to guide me to be successful on and off the court," he added.

Bayla was part of the Gilas team which finished seventh in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship alongside Jared Bahay and Andy Gemao. He had 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in the said tournament.

During the 2024 NBTC National Finals, Bayla posted averages of 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists as Fil-Am Nation won the Division 1 title.

He will be eligible to play in the upcoming UAAP Season 87 where he will join the likes of JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Harold Alarcon as the Diliman-based squad aims to bounce back after a runner-up finish in Season 86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News