MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles co-captain Jai Reyes considered his team’s loss to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on Sunday as his least favorite game in his five years of playing for the University of Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Reyes said this on Monday’s UAAP live chat at http://now.abs-cbn.com/livestream/ where he chatted with UAAP fans alongside Ateneo courtside reporter Jessica Mendoza.

“Di makapaniwala,” Reyes commented on Ateneo’s 58-68 defeat to UP. “It's a wake up call for us.”

Meanwhile, he cited the Ateneo-De La Salle Univeristy Green Archers clashes as his favorite games.

Reyes, who is taking up Communications Technology Management, is in his fifth and final year of playing for the Blue Eagles.

When asked by blue01 how he would like to be remembered in a few words, Reyes replied, “one of the players of Ateneo who won back-to-back.”

Final four prediction

Jai, who is the nephew of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coach Chot Reyes, is gearing up for his team’s next game on Thursday against the Adamson University Falcons.

A comment from dirk77diggler asked, “What would be the keys to a victory over Adamson?”

“Defense pa din,” said Reyes. “It's a tough game.”

He also revealed his line-up for UAAP Season 72’s Final Four: Ateneo, La Salle, Adamson and Far Eastern University (FEU).

“La Salle [is] still a threat,” he remarked. Although Reyes did not include the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in his final four prediction, he also said that “UST is still a threat.”

He said he is excited to play La Salle on Aug. 9. He said he would focus on guarding Simon Atkins and Joel Tolentino.

He was also made to choose the best team among UST, FEU and University of the East (UE). “Hard to say they're all good teams… FEU is better in terms of talent.”

A comment from lalalove read, “ADMU's bench players are more productive than its first five. Any reaction?”

Reyes said that was a “sign of a good team.”

Greater love for the game

Meantime, Reyes cited La Salle as the hardest team and player he played against, respectively.

He also mentioned San Beda, San Sebastian and Jose Rizal University as the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) teams that can beat Ateneo.

As for his basketball idol, Reyes mentioned Olsen Racela of the San Miguel Beermen. His favorite PBA cagers from the ‘80s and ‘90s are Johnny Abarrientos and Jojo Lastimosa.

If given a chance to play for the PBA, he said he would play for his uncle’s team, Talk ‘N Text. He added that he would also play for San Miguel if the team will get him.

He then revealed that Tony Parker and Jose Calderon are his favorite National Basketball Association (NBA) players.

He favors the Los Angeles Lakers over the Boston Celtics, adding that he prefers Magic Johnson over Kobe Bryant.

Reyes, a Star Magic talent, balances his showbiz, school, basketball and family life. He is married and has one child.

“Right now basketball talaga mas mahal ko,” he said of his greater love for the game over showbiz.

On a lighter note, when asked to choose a leading lady if ever he would be part of a movie, he mentioned “Tayong Dalawa” star Kim Chiu.