A year in Japan has given Francis Lopez more than just a change of scenery. It has tested him away from home, pushed him to adapt to a different basketball culture, and, in the process, added new layers to his game as he continues to chase his next opportunity with Gilas Pilipinas.
That growth was on display in a familiar setting.
Back in the Philippines with the Fighting Eagles Nagoya for the 2026 AsiaBasket NSAC World Invitational Tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Lopez found himself in an atmosphere reminiscent of his UAAP days with the University of the Philippines. This time, however, he returned as a more seasoned player, quietly showing just how much he has developed since leaving the country.
GILAS REMAINS THE GOAL
More than a year since leaving the Philippines and over four years since his last stint with Gilas, Lopez has not lost sight of his goal of wearing the national colors again.
The 6-foot-6 athletic forward remains hopeful of earning another call-up to the national team, but he knows the opportunity has to be earned through the work he continues to put in day in and day out.
For now, he is simply waiting and making sure he is ready whenever that opportunity comes.
“You know, I’m just really waiting, honestly, for the Gilas call-up,” Lopez said.
“Whatever happens, I’m always gonna be ready for it,” said the 23-year-old Lopez, who last suited up for Gilas in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup and the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Known throughout his career as a slasher and energy player, the former UAAP Rookie of the Year has also worked to expand his offensive game, particularly from beyond the arc, giving him another weapon to complement his athleticism and attacking ability.
“Hard work will show the results,” he said.
“So pretty much, if I’m open, I’m gonna shoot. Coach Ruben (Boykin) has been telling me that if I’m open, just shoot it, so I guess that’s what happened.”
Lopez has also gained confidence in trusting his preparation, a mentality that could prove valuable should another opportunity with Gilas come his way.
Rather than worrying about when the call will arrive, Lopez is focused on making sure that, when it does, he will be ready to answer.
A MUCH-NEEDED HOMECOMING
(C) NSAC
In preparation for the upcoming B.League season, Lopez and the Fighting Eagles joined the NSAC, where they went up against some of the Philippines’ top collegiate programs, including Far Eastern University, San Beda University, and the University of Santo Tomas.
The short tournament gave Lopez a chance to play in front of Filipino fans again, surrounded by an atmosphere that immediately reminded him of his collegiate days.
When the Fighting Eagles faced UST in the championship game, Lopez saved his best for last.
The 6-foot-6 forward erupted for 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including a 3-of-5 clip from beyond the arc, while adding seven rebounds and three assists to lead the Fighting Eagles to a thrilling 92-91 victory over the Growling Tigers.
His all-around performance capped a strong tournament for Lopez and earned him Finals MVP honors, giving his homecoming an even sweeter ending.
“Man, I got asked yesterday about that. It feels like the UAAP again because you feel the drums and everything. Aldous (Torculas), I used to play with him in UP, so it feels amazing,” said the Ateneo High School product.
“Actually, there are a lot of new players here on our team, so we’re just trying to get used to it. Hopefully, this season, we’re gonna be able to get comfortable with each other. This is a learning experience for us, so I’m really happy with our win.”
Winning the NSAC title gave Lopez the perfect conclusion to his return to the Philippines.
After spending so much time away, he was able to celebrate a championship on familiar ground, against a team from the same collegiate basketball landscape that helped shape him.
It was a homecoming in every sense of the word, but underneath the nostalgia was a sense of perspective. Lopez had left the Philippines looking to grow, and his return gave him an opportunity to show what that experience had added to his game.
The player who came back was no longer exactly the same one who left.
LEARNING TO ADJUST IN JAPAN
(C) NSAC
That transformation, however, did not come easily.
His first year in Japan was filled with adjustments, both on and off the court. For the first time in his career, he found himself far away from the familiar faces and surroundings that had accompanied him throughout his rise in Philippine basketball.
“Right now, I’m used to it,” Lopez said. “But my first year was really hard ’cause, you know, I was by myself.”
Being alone in a foreign country forced Lopez to learn how to navigate life on his own while simultaneously trying to establish himself as a basketball player.
“Right now, I’m used to it. But my first year was really hard ’cause, you know, I was by myself, but I was able to cope, so it was really great,” he shared.
The biggest challenge, perhaps, was the language.
With an American coach and Japanese teammates, communication could sometimes become a complicated process. He often has to go through a translator before properly communicating with his teammates, something that can be particularly difficult in a fast-paced sport where communication is crucial.
“Probably the language, I guess. It’s very hard,” Lopez said.
“But, you know, I’m trying to get used to Japanese ’cause we have a translator and then an American coach. So, sometimes, it’s hard to communicate with the Japanese, so I got to say something to the translator first before they translate it to Japanese so we can understand. But it’s all great,” he continued.
Instead of allowing the difficulty to become a barrier, Lopez gradually learned to live with it.
The adjustment made him more comfortable being uncomfortable, teaching him to become more independent, patient, and adaptable.
Now, with another B.League season ahead, Lopez carries those lessons with him.
The road back to Gilas may still be uncertain, but the goal remains clear, as does the work required to get there.
If that long-awaited call from Gilas eventually comes, he wants to make sure he has done everything in his power to be ready for it.
For now, that means focusing on what he can control — putting in the work, continuing to improve, and staying ready for when his phone finally rings.
