By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Superstar point guard Kean Baclaan will no longer suit up for the National University (NU) Bulldogs once the UAAP Season kicks off this 2024.
According to multiple sources, the savvy floor general decided to leave the NU basketball program for growth and to open more doors for his hoops career.
In his two years playing for the Bulldogs, Baclaan helped NU reach the Final Four two consecutive times and played a huge role after hitting big shots in several games during the preliminary phases.
Baclaan immediately let his presence felt during his rookie year and averaged 8.36 points, 4.21 assists, 3.43 rebounds, and 1.64 steals per contest.
In just seven months, Baclaan quickly raised his numbers during his sophomore year and tallied 10.73 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.53 rebounds per game.
Despite finishing third in back-to-back seasons, Baclaan and the Bulldogs remained one of the top-tier schools that competed toe-to-toe against the DLSU Green Archers, UP Fighting Maroons, and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles.
Baclaan stepped his game up during the recently concluded UAAP Season but their championship hopes were halted by the Green Archers who eventually won the title after beating UP in three grueling games.
In a report published by Tiebreaker Times and Spin.ph, Baclaan is currently receiving multiple offers from other UAAP schools and MPBL franchises.
If Baclaan decides to jump ship in the UAAP scene, he will have to serve a one-year residency before getting back in the hardwood.
With the departure of Baclaan, the Bulldogs must rely on the steady Steve Nash Enriquez, his backcourt mate in NU.
As of this writing, the Bulldogs are yet to name some of their upcoming recruits who are ready to boost them in the next UAAP season.
