Entering Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Finals, Francis Lopez had been under a lot of scrutiny.
His missed free throws and late-game errors in Game 2 last Wednesday had cost University of the Philippines a chance to sweep the series and clinch the championship.
However, people often forget that Lopez is just 21 years old and still learning.
Refusing to let those crucial mistakes define him, Lopez bounced back in the biggest way possible, leading UP to a thrilling 66-62 victory in Game 3.
The win not only dethroned La Salle but also secured UP’s second UAAP title in four seasons, following their breakthrough championship in Season 84 (2022) that ended a 36-year drought.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With UP holding a narrow 61-60 lead, Lopez confidently drilled a top-of-the-key triple to extend the Fighting Maroons’ lead to 64-60 with 1:12 left.
While EJ Gollena’s layup cut the lead to 64-62, Quentin Millora-Brown followed up Lopez’s clutch shot with game-sealing free throws, ensuring UP’s victory.
“From my teammates and coaches, first of all, I just want to thank them for still believing in me after the Game 2 loss. It was a huge loss, especially for me – I let the team down in that game, but that did not stop me from working hard all night on my offense,” the UP sophomore.
“I’m just really happy, and it’s a surreal feeling.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With a standout performance of 12 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block, Lopez could finally call himself a champion.
Despite coming from esteemed high school programs like La Salle Green Hills and Ateneo de Manila University, Lopez had never won a title with either school.
Even in his first Gilas Men stint, Lopez and the Philippines settled for silver after losing to Indonesia in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
After countless attempts and a heartbreaking silver medal finish in Season 86, Lopez has now come full circle – earning the elusive championship that had avoided him for much of his basketball career.
“This is actually the first time being in a championship in my entire life, and I wanna thank the Man above. My father, my family, thank you so much. I am really happy. It may not look like it, but this means so much to me,” he concluded.
