Baclaan leaves La Salle, set to turn pro

La Salle’s Kean Baclaan (13)

(UAAP Media Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — 'Wonderboy' out.

UAAP champion Kean Baclaan has bid farewell to his collegiate career, exiting La Salle after a year with the Green Archers.

The guard posted his farewell message on his Instagram page on Wednesday, and he is expected to turn pro after his eventful three-year collegiate run, which ended with a UAAP title.

“First of all, I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout my journey. This has been my dream school since I was a kid, and just being here already feels like a victory. I will truly miss our bond as a team the college life, the bonding moments, the challenges every practice, and even the arguments we had during practice,” he said.

“My two years in La Salle were more than worth it because they changed my life. I learned so much during my time here, not only about basketball but also about life itself. I am extremely thankful to the people around me who guided me throughout my college journey,” he added.

He shared the story of being “rejected” by the school twice – back in elementary and back during his rookie year in college, where he was already supposed to play for the Green Archers, but sunce “another player was chosen” over him, he was led to the National University Bulldogs.

“Despite all the rejections, whenever I was given an opportunity to go to La Salle, I always grabbed it. La Salle has always been my dream to study and play here. Just being able to wear the green and white already makes me a champion,” he said.

After two years with the Bulldogs, he left NU and transferred to La Salle.

And after a year of residency, Baclaan became an integral part of the Taft-based squad that regained the UAAP championship against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

In his lone season with the Green Archers, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds a contest while shooting 36.7% from the field and 72.4% from the free throw line.

But the guard’s lone year was a roller-coaster one, with the biggest hurdle being an MCL tear that almost put him out of the season.

He would eventually return, and he even hit big free throws in the championship-clinching Game 3, which La Salle won, 80-72.

“Despite everything I went through the entire season my injury and all the struggles I never thought I would be the one to take the last shot before winning the championship,” he said.

“As of now, there is still no final decision on which team I will be joining, but wherever I go, I will always carry the Lasallian spirit with me. ANIMO!”