Kean Baclaan came to the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament as one of the highly-touted rookies.
This as he showed his wares and built expectations in the preseason with University of Santo Tomas before enrolling at National University.
And until the very last game of the Bulldogs in the Final Four, the 5-foot-8 scoring guard proved his worth.
Baclaan almost single-handedly brought NU back after falling by nine at the start of the fourth quarter, dropping 10 of his 14 points there.
But University of the Philippines flexed its championship pedigree down the stretch, eliminating the Bulldogs, 69-61, last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Still, Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa is grateful for the season, and for getting Baclaan.
“Kean is Kean.
“Hats off sa bata hanggang sa dulo hindi siya bumitaw. Yun siya eh. Makapal mukha. Born winner,” said Napa.
Baclaan’s game against the Fighting Maroons was also a comeback of sorts after getting ejected against De La Salle University last Nov. 23 for two technical fouls – both were called due to him faking a foul.
In line with it, he was suspended for one game which he served against Adamson University on Nov. 26, NU’s last game of the elimination round.
And to see Baclaan return and make waves in the payoff period nonetheless against the defending champions, Napa knows he got a good one.
“Yun nga lang tinapon nung last game pero natuto na yung bata, pinakita niya how great he is para maglaro sa big stage,” said the NU mentor.
“Good luck na lang sa next season na makakalaban ko.”
With four years of eligibility left, Baclaan is seen to be one of the next leaders of National U.
And for this, Napa only has one wish.
“Definitely, alam ko marami talagang nakalook forward, huwag lang sanang may mang-aaswang,” said Napa. “Yun naman yung katotohanan, huwag lang sana may mangaaswang para maging maganda yung laban ng UAAP.
“Alam naman natin ngayon gagawin ang lahat para manalo eh. Kami we will do everything. Hindi kami mamimirata, hindi kami mag whatsoever basta tatrabahuhin namin.”
