After waiting a year to make his debut for La Salle, Kean Baclaan ends his first season with the Green Archers after just six games in UAAP Season 88 due to an injury.
Kean Baclaan aired his thoughts after a frustrating end to his first season with the DLSU Green Archers, confirming a season-ending MCL injury at the tail-end of regulation in their overtime victory over the UE Red Warriors, 111-110, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday.
Baclaan went down with 4:20 left in regulation after UE’s Wello Lingolingo accidentally landed on his legs. Lingolingo was later on ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul (category 2).
[READ: UAAP: La Salle survives Precious Momowei’s 42, completes comeback in OT vs UE]
The transferee guard was carried off the floor in tears before the Green Archers rallied back in the game that went into the extra period, where La Salle had to lean on Jacob Cortez — another first-year player in La Salle this season — to finish the job.
On social media, Baclaan spoke about the ordeal.
‘It’s suddenly gone’
Baclaan lamented the lost opportunity after waiting so long to finally suit up for the Green Archers.
Playing his first UAAP year in NU, Baclaan transferred to La Salle and had to take one year of residency. He was also part of the new batch of transferees among UAAP member schools that takes off two years of eligibility.
“This is what I prepared and worked hard for the whole year, and now it’s suddenly gone just like that. I just want to say that I’m out for the entire season, and this isn’t what I wanted or expected to happen,” Baclaan wrote.
“I cried so much last night and felt really down about my situation, but I just kept thinking about my future for my family and my career. To the DLSU community and everyone who’s been worried about me, I truly appreciate all your care and concern,” he continued.
Baclaan joined Mason Amos who is also out of commission after also suffering an injury in their previous game. La Salle is thus two men down for Season 88.
With one more year remaining, Baclaan vowed that he will be out for redemption next season — in what will be his last playing year in the UAAP.
“Thank you so much to everyone who messaged and called to check up on me. Please don’t worry I’ll come back stronger and finish my last year at DLSU,” he said.
Currently, La Salle is smack in the middle of the standings with a 3-3 slate with one more game remaining in the first round.
The Green Archers will thus face off against title rival UP over the weekend without Baclaan and Amos.
La Salle and UP collide on Sunday, October 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 4:30 p.m.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.