The past two games for Kean Baclaan have been nothing but a struggle, despite National University notching wins number 4 and 5.
In the Bulldogs’ 80-77 overtime victory over De La Salle University last weekend, Baclaan shot a dismal 2-of-13 from the field.
He missed all four of his attempts from beyond the arc, resulting in just seven points along with seven rebounds and five assists.
Moreover, he committed five turnovers.
NU’s next game, a 68-49 win against the University of the East, presented a similar challenge for Baclaan. He went 3-of-13 from the field, failing to convert any of his three shots from beyond the arc, ultimately scoring only six points.
He contributed six assists and five rebounds, but also committed four turnovers.
However, the second-year guard out of De La Salle-Zobel did not lose confidence in his shooting abilities. And his self-belief paid off on Saturday.
“Pinrove ko lang yung worth ko sa team, pinakita ko lang kung ano yung kaya ko maitulong sa team,” said the 20-year-old from Bayanan, Muntinlupa.
Baclaan erupted in the second half against Adamson University, scoring 19 points after being held scoreless in the first half.
NU finished the first round with a 6-1 record after winning 69-66.
His performance was highlighted by making all five of his three-pointers in the third quarter, during which they turned a 41-30 deficit into a 55-54 lead.
“Hindi ko naman inisip yung points, siguro kusa lang din dumating. Parang ngayon lang nangyari sa akin ‘yung limang sunod-sunod na three points, so siguro may plano rin si God kaya nangyari yun.”
Head coach Jeff Napa played a crucial role in Baclaan’s resurgence in the second half, even though he had been utilized for just four minutes and 40 seconds in the first half.
The third-year NU coach addressed his players at halftime, which woke up Baclaan and the rest of the Bulldogs.
“Siguro sa akin ‘yun yung way ni Coach Jeff para magising sa akin. Para sa amin naman, okay lang ‘yun kasi doon kami nagigising talaga eh, doon namin nakikita kung sino talaga kami,” said Baclaan.
“Para sa amin, kailangan din namin ‘yun para lumabas ‘yung tunay na NU Bulldogs talaga.”
Finding his shot at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, of all places, felt somewhat poetic. Baclaan played for the Growling Tigers in the preseason of 2022 before ultimately deciding to enroll at NU.
But Baclaan simply stated that it was a blessing from above that he finally broke out of his slump.
“Siguro blessing na rin sa itaas na nangyari ‘yung ganong sitwasyon sa akin. Kailangan lang talaga namin mag-move on ngayon, kailangan namin maging consistent at maging on the same page, then magtiwala sa sistema ni Coach Jeff talaga,” said the shifty combo guard.
“Sabi nga ni coach, walang superstar sa team namin pero coach, superstar ako eh… pero sa role ko. Superstar ako sa role ko.”
