Jai Reyes named UAAP basketball commissioner

Metro Manila, Philippines - Jai Reyes has been named the new UAAP basketball commissioner beginning Season 88.

The 38-year-old Reyes played for the Ateneo de Manila University from Season 68 to 72. He was hailed Rookie of the Year in Season 68 and was part of the Blue Eagles' title runs in Seasons 71 and 72.

Following his pro career, Reyes founded Asiabasket, a league that organizes amateur basketball tournaments.

“I felt happy and excited that I can help build the UAAP because the league has opened so many opportunities for me,” he said in a statement. “I hope I can contribute to improving the league so it can do the same for the younger athletes,” he added.

Joining Reyes in the Basketball Commissioner’s Office are Deputy Commissioners Dino Lee, Mikko Abello (high school division), and Regina Velarde (women’s division).

Lee has served as a coach at the Philadelphia High School, board member in the Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association, sports coordinator at Pace Academy, Asiabasket league operations head, and general manager of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.

Abello served as a coach of Ateneo’s Grade School and High School basketball teams in the QCAA and MyBall tournaments from 2005 to 2011.

Meanwhile, Velarde served as the head coach of De La Salle-Zobel’s high school girls’ basketball team in UAAP Season 82.

Jong Uichico, currently the head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA, will serve as consultant. He is a product of the De La Salle University and steered the Green Archers to runner-up finishes in Seasons 59 and 60.

Levi Valenzuela will serve as technical head, while veteran game official Bong Pascual will be conducting the referees workshop.

Valenzuela is an honorary FIBA member and a FIBA Rules Contributor. He retired from officiating in 2020.

Pascual is a PBA referee supervisor and had experience officiating in the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.