De La Salle University‘s Kean Baclaan (#13). Photo from FilOil EcoOIl Sports.MANILA — Kean Baclaan, Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, and Jacob Cortez could only watch as De La Salle University faltered in last year’s UAAP men’s basketball Finals.
READ: Brighter lights, bigger stage expected in UAAP Season 88
The 5-foot-7 prolific ace from Muntinlupa City, alongside former Ateneo de Manila University sniper Amos, ex-University of the Philippines big Pablo, and San Beda University’s NCAA Season 99 champion Cortez were limited to spectators in Season 88 as the quartet was serving their residency year for the Green Archers.
Kevin Quiambao and company did their best to outlast the Fighting Maroons in Game 3, but JD Cagulangan and State U prevailed, dethroning the previous champs to claim their second championship in four seasons.
However, while Baclaan and his fellow transferees can nitpick all of the Green Archers’ Season 87 Finals could haves and would haves, they instead focused on using that loss as fuel in their upcoming redemption bid.
“May struggles sila sa guards daw last season, pero mas babawi pa kami,” said the former De La Salle Zobel standout, pointing out how the Topex Robinson-coached Archers and their playmaking concerns last year. “Sila coach na bahala doon.”
“Pero ako, yun yung sinabi ko sa kanila, may group chat kasi kaming apat na nagre-residency, sabi ko sa kanila na bawi kami right after nung talo sa Finals nung Season 87,” he added.
After spending two seasons in Jhocson Street with National U, Baclaan opted to return to his roots in early 2024, sharing that it was an opportunity that he could not pass up on.
“Sobrang excited ako makabalik ulit,” said Baclaan, who averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in what would be his second and final year with the Bulldogs.
“Tapos sa dream school ko, sa Green and White, eh since high school ako gusto ko na dito makapaglaro, so ginrab ko lang yung opportunity. Minsan lang dumating yung mga gantong opportunities, kaya nung kinuha ako ni Coach Topex, tinake ko na,” he added.
Baclaan also cited how his connection with his childhood friend Quiambao was a factor in transferring to the Taft-based cagers.
“Nung kinuha ako nila Coach Topex, part pa si KQ noon, pero alam ko naman nang ‘di siya mags-stay,” he shared. “So yung isip ko noon, ayusin lang yung pagpe-prepare. Hindi na kami one-man team eh, pero marami naman kaming pumasok.”
Aside from Baclaan, hotshot Jacob Cortez, the son of former La Salle star “Cool Cat” Mike Cortez, will also be setting the table and taking the toughest shots for the Archers next season.
The 5-foot-10 star spent three seasons with San Beda, emerging from one of their rotational players into their main gunner come Season 99, and was eventually hailed from being the “Cool CUb” into the “King Lion.”
De La Salle University‘s Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo. Photos from FIlOil EcoOil Sports.But while Jacob was already a proven winner in Mendiola, his father’s legacy in Taft Avenue was still one that always inspired and motivated him to chase new heights.
“In my room, I have a picture of him when he was in La Salle,” he said. “It’s just there every day. He won two championships, and it feels good to have one, it feels great. But, I could still surpass it, right?”
Amos, much like Jacob, also explained that his controversial transfer from Blue to Green just felt the right thing to do.
“It's been an eventful transition, but it's been good," the Filipino-Australian described. “With Coach Topex, he's a player's coach, and he really knows how to communicate with his players and build relationships. He also welcomed me, and I'm just grateful that he took me in.”
For his part, Pablo, just like Baclaan, is set for a Lasallian return after spending a season in Diliman.
The 6-foot-7, former La Salle Greenhills star only saw limited action for State U in his rookie year in Season 86, eventually opting to go back to La Salle after only logging 1.5 markers and 1.8 boards in 9:09 minutes per contest.
The quartet of La Salle’s new young stars will be bringing with them tons of pressure especially since they are now tasked to bounce back with the Green Archers falling short of their bid for a repeat last year.
But while they are already seen as one of Season 88’s championship contenders, Baclaan maintained that they have not proven anything just yet.
“Nag message ako sa kanila na bawi kami, at mas magwo-work hard pa kami,” said Baclaan. “And need pa naming i-prove yun. Natalo kami, so mas hungry kami ngayon.”
Aside from Baclaan and his fellow transferees, La Salle will also parade prized rookies, 6-foot-7 Lebron Daep from University of Perpetual Help and 6-foot guard Guillian Quines of LSGH, the 6-foot-3 Andrei Dungo is also primed to make a leap for the Green Archers next year -- all the while still having “Motor” Mike Phillips.
Still, he maintained that, despite the pedigree of the names and talent that they will reinforce in Season 88, and after a silver finish in the 2025 World University Basketball Series, the other seven UAAP squads are just as ready and prepared as they are.
“Lahat kasi talaga ng team nagpalakas ngayon eh, so kailangan naming magtrabaho pa lalo para makuha namin yung kampeonato sa Season 88,” said Baclaan of their approach. “Nakapag ready naman kami ng maayos. Yung offseason games namin, maganda rin naman yung outcome, so ang kalaban na lang namin eh yung mga sarili namin.”
La Salle will open its UAAP Season 88 campaign on Saturday, September 20, 4:30 p.m., against Adamson University at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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