Kean Baclaan capped his unexpected comeback from an early-season MCL injury with a bittersweet moment at the line, finishing La Salle’s Final Four win over NU and sealing his first UAAP Finals.
For most of UAAP Season 88, it wasn’t clear if Kean Baclaan would even make it back on the court.
After suffering a right MCL injury in the first round, the De La Salle guard ended up missing eight straight games but made it just back in time to face his former team, National University, in the Final Four.
[ALSO READ: La Salle’s Kean Baclaan vows to 'come back stronger' after UAAP season-ending injury]
And on the evening that the Green Archers clinched their third straight UAAP Finals berth, Baclaan stood at the free-throw line with a chance to seal the win over the Bulldogs.
And the emotion of it all didn’t quite hit him until fellow guard Jacob Cortez said something he wouldn’t forget.
“Actually, hindi ko alam kung masasabi [ganun]. Pero actually, nagkakumpiyansa ako dahil kay Jacob. Sabi ko kasi sa kanya, nung may free throw siya na 28 points pa lang siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, make mo ‘yan para 30 points ka," Baclaan said.
“‘Yung last plays, hindi sakin eh. Kay Jacob ‘yung play [pero] sabi ni Jacob sakin, kunin mo yung bola, pauwiin mo sila. ‘Yun lang tumatak sa isip ko.”
From a possible season-ending injury to reaching the Finals
Baclaan knew this season would test him. For weeks he was unsure if he would even return, and when he did, he didn’t mind the limited minutes.
“Hindi ko rin inakala na makakalaro ulit kami,” he said, as he joined Mason Amos on the injury list for most of the season. Amos likewise made it back in time for the Final Four.
“Kahit hindi ako masyado pinapasok kasi nga, siyempre, galing ako ng injury. Sabi ko, wala akong pake kung di ako ipasok o pasok. Gusto ko lang manalo.”
Kean Baclaan and head coach Topex Robinson share a moment after La Salle's Final Four win over NU. | Photo: UAAP
What kept La Salle afloat, Baclaan said, was the rest of the roster stepping up in their absence.
“Thankful lang rin ako na ang daming nag-step up sa mga teammates namin. Sobrang blessed lang rin talaga ako na dito pa sa Final Four and Finals kami na kompleto. So, sana, no more injuries na and stay healthy lang talaga," Baclaan said.
[ALSO READ: La Salle parades complete lineup to stay alive vs NU in UAAP Final Four]
But while the win brought relief, Baclaan reminded himself and his teammates that the job isn’t finished.
“We need to celebrate ngayon, ngayong araw and tapusin ngayon kasi nga, hindi pa naman tapos eh. I mean, nakapasok lang kami ng Finals pero hindi pa kami nagcha-champion. So, syempre, ‘yun ‘yung goal namin ngayon.”
Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 Finals between DLSU and the UP Fighting Maroons is set for Wednesday, December 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.