Francis Lopez and Jacob Bayla during UP's celebration of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball crown, December 12, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Note: This article contains profanity.
MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines' Francis Lopez did not mince words as he completed his personal redemption arc in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals.
Lopez was key to UP's triumph in Game 3, scoring 12 points including a triple that was the dagger to the La Salle Green Archers' hearts as he expanded the Maroons' lead late in the payoff period, 64-60, at the 1:12 mark.
They eventually won as the buzzer sounded, 66-62, to return the crown to the Maroon side of Diliman on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
REDEMPTION: UP reigns over La Salle for UAAP championship glory
But before that, he had to endure criticisms from the public after missing entirely in his two trips to the 15-foot-line during Game 2—a match they lost by a single thread, 76-75.
UAAP Finals: La Salle stays alive with emotional comeback, sets up another do-or-die vs. UP
The 6-foot-6 standout did not hold back, expressing his honesty after UP emerged victorious this season, ending two years of runner-up finishes.
"Like I said, I don't care about what they say, you know, and I'm not here to please anybody from the outside, man. I'm not here to please anybody. As a matter of fact, f*ck them, man. I don't give a sh*t. I don't give a sh*t, to be honest," said Lopez.
Lopez, looking back at his most important trey of the season, said it felt "surreal" when he drained it but he kept his composure as the game was still underway.
"As soon as he [Harold Alarcon] passed me the ball, I was like, I'm going to shoot this, I'm going to shoot this, and you know, it went in. You know, it was really a surreal moment on that, but you know, the game wasn't over, so I got to keep my composure," he said.
The former Rookie of the Year cherished the trust bestowed unto him by his teammates after Game 2.
"They [teammates] still trusted me, you know. After that loss, you know, we still were able to talk to one another, and you know, it was just really a surreal moment, man. They keep on believing in me, you know, and I'm just really happy that they're still there for me, even though we got that loss," Lopez said.
"We were able to conquer it this time, so yep, I'm really happy."
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