Lopez will be an important piece for the Fighting Maroons should he be eligible to play in the UAAP.
The UP Fighting Maroons were arguably the biggest winners during the offseason as they were able to snatch the services of Francis Lopez.
The 19-year-old’s college eligibility, however, remains in question due to the contract he signed in 2021 with Overtime Elite, a US-based pro league.
If you ask Coach Goldwin Monteverde, of course he looks forward to Lopez playing in the UAAP. But he says this is not just for the benefit of the Fighting Maroons, but for Lopez himself.
“I hope he could really play. Not naman just for UP, but this kid has a lot of potential, and being able to play sa UAAP would really give him more exposure and kumbaga, he could improve more,” Monteverde said on the show Power and Play, hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
The UAAP has yet to give its final decision on Lopez. OTE, on the other hand, clarified to One Sports the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet did sign a Uniform Player Contract with them, but explained this “was never consummated.”
Should the UAAP brass decide to allow Lopez to play for the Fighting Maroons, the Gilas high-flyer would be of great help for Monteverde's squad.
“Si Francis naman ever since nung nakita na natin siya maglaro, he's really an explosive player and I feel that he would be a big impact for the team. Very versatile siya eh. You could play him maybe as a 3 or maybe as a 4, so any which position that it will give you an advantage,” said Monteverde.
Lopez will also somehow help ease the loss of UP frontcourt members Zavier Lucero, Henry Galinato, and Carl Tamayo. Monteverde also said their lineup loopholes is a chance for other players to step up.
“Trying to fill that position would always be hard na maghanap ng players to fit in system, but on the other end naman, marami pa rin naman naiwan samin especially sa backcourt namin. Si Malick Diouf is still there, and these are chances also for other players to shine din, to be able to play, to be able to express what they could or help the team."