UP Preventing Maroons’ latest recruit Francis Lebron Lopez. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — Francis Lopez made his College of the Philippines debut on Sunday, and he’s nothing however grateful that he’s nonetheless capable of play school ball within the UAAP.
There have been questions on Lopez’s eligibility to play within the UAAP for Season 86 and past after he signed with Additional time Elite in 2021. However it was dominated by the UAAP board that he’s allowed to swimsuit up as his supposed professional stint was reportedly voided.
“I’m actually grateful about it. I had one other alternative to construct up my identify. Hopefully, I can try this. I’m simply actually completely satisfied that I’m ready crew on this school crew which is UP. And I wanna thank all people who helped me and get this chance for me to play within the UAAP,” stated the first-year UP participant after their 68-51 win over Adamson on Sunday at Mall of Asia Area.
“I’m completely satisfied concerning the crew. About my efficiency that’s inappropriate. However proper now we obtained our first win and hopefully, we get these wins much more on the upcoming video games,” he added.
The 20-year-old winger scored his basket with a breakaway two-handed slam off his steal halfway by means of the primary quarter and completed with 5 factors and 13 rebounds in his collegiate debut.
Lopez, an Ateneo Excessive Faculty product, stated he simply needed to contribute as a lot as he may for the Preventing Maroons, who’re searching for to bounce again from a Finals loss to the Blue Eagles final 12 months.
“In the case of video games. You need to do every little thing to assist the crew. That’s an enormous break for us,” stated Lopez who was allso boosted by the ecstatic UP crowd. “I used to be stunned concerning the crowd. There’s lots of people and you understand that construct up my confidence. Hopefully the upcoming video games they are going to proceed to assist us and I feel they are going to.”
The 6-foot-6 guard is locked in to proceed serving to UP get extra wins as he now shifts his give attention to the College of the East, which additionally received its marketing campaign opener, on Wednesday at MOA Area.
“We gotta keep prepared as we’re. We now have to be extra targeted on the subsequent sport. UE is a troublesome crew that obtained their first win in opposition to UST. Hopefully, we are able to scout them effectively and get the win,” Lopez stated.
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