FRANCIS Lopez knows Ateneo — the team that his University of the Philippines side ousted in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball Final Four — all too well.
From making his UAAP juniors debut with the Blue Eaglets in Season 82 to committing to UP as Ateneo feted its Season 85 seniors title, Lopez' lone focus moving forward is where he's at now than where he used to be.
READ: UP Maroons back in UAAP Finals after dethroning Ateneo Blue Eagles
"I have no comment about that (beating Ateneo). But what matters is where I’m at right now, which is UP. I have such an amazing feeling. I feel blessed that I’m here and I have no regrets on transferring in UP," Lopez said.
"I just wanna thank the coaches for the work that they’ve done for us especially against Ateneo. Coach Tab (Baldwin) has been here for a long time in the UAAP and I know he’s gonna make some adjustments, but our coaches were there.
"We just came prepared more than Ateneo and we just fought really, really hard. Third finals for UP right? I’m really, really happy with the UP Fighting Maroons. We’re just gonna continue to fight and fight until we get our goal which is the championship," he added.
A rocky rookie year
It wasn't all smooth-sailing for Lopez in his UAAP seniors debut for the Maroons, but he's more than thrilled to be backed by a strong support system in UP.
"There’s been some ups and downs but the coaches have been telling me that you just gotta move on and keep on learning on what mistakes I have done," the former Gilas Pilipinas player said.
"I’m just happy that we got this win. I know that it’s a tough win but it’s gonna be tougher in the finals because that’s the final games. I’m just really happy but the job not done for us. Our mission is two more wins."
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