John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

The University of the Philippines and the De La Salle University battle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals in Pasay City on December 11, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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UAAP 87 Men's Basketball Finals Game 2

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174905155786520241211-uaap87-up-dlsu-MQD_6470-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Francis Lopez in action during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men&#x27;s basketball finals in Pasay City on December 11, 2024. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA, Philippines – When the opportunity to play overseas came, Francis Lopez grabbed it.</p><p>The high-flying UP Fighting Maroon has forgone his three remaining years of collegiate eligibility in the UAAP and has decided to go professional with the Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japan B.League.</p><p>The B.League team made it official as it announced the development Wednesday in an Instagram post.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKd9TRFvcBr/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A27372733.299999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Before it was formally announced by the Japanese squad, ABS-CBN News was able to get Lopez&#x27;s thoughts on playing in the Land of the Rising Sun.</p><p>Lopez said opportunity like this is rare and he had to capitalize on it.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/4/28/francis-lopez-leaves-up-set-to-join-fighting-eagles-nagoya-in-b-league-1809"><strong>READ: Francis Lopez leaves UP, set to join Fighting Eagles Nagoya in B.League<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Honestly, I haven&#x27;t been to Japan, first and foremost,&quot; said Lopez during the day of the interview on May 24.</p><p>&quot;But, I think it&#x27;s gonna be pretty exciting and I just had a quite big of an opportunity so I had to take it. You know, and an opportunity like this, it doesn&#x27;t come just like that,&quot; the UAAP basketball champion went on.</p><p>The 6-foot-6 UP stalwart said he&#x27;s &quot;really happy&quot; with his decision to play in B.League.</p><p>&quot;You know I mean, so I think for me it&#x27;s an opportunity for me to take and I&#x27;m really happy about it.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/15/up-s-francis-lopez-shuts-out-outside-noise-to-redeem-himself-in-uaap-finals-2326"><strong>READ: &#x27;F--- them, man&#x27;: UP&#x27;s Francis Lopez shuts out outside noise to redeem himself in UAAP Finals<br/></strong></a></div><p>Lopez had respectable numbers of 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 rejections in the UAAP Season 87 men&#x27;s basketball tournament, including a clutch triple that eventually sent UP to the mountaintop over De La Salle University and Kevin Quiambao.</p><p>By the time of the interview, Lopez said he continued practicing with the Fighting Maroons. He might have left early, but he kept his relationship intact with his UP coaches and teammates.</p><p>&quot;As of now, I&#x27;m still practicing with the team so we had a, pretty much, a good relationship. There&#x27;s nothing bad about our relationship,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;They&#x27;ve been just really still there for us for supporting me and yeah so much so grateful about that,&quot; Lopez added, acknowledging UP&#x27;s efforts of backing his dream of playing abroad with the Fighting Eagles Nagoya.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/juRiWaL3lYA??si=v1fIypp9_v0cfF49&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"An opportunity like this, it doesn't come just like that," said the Fighting Maroon ✊🏼 #UAAPbasketball #UAAPSeason87 </p>

"An opportunity like this, it doesn't come just like that," said the Fighting Maroon ✊🏼 #UAAPbasketball #UAAPSeason87

Francis Lopez raring to pounce on 'big' opportunity of playing in B.League

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Francis Lopez raring to pounce on 'big' opportunity of playing in B.League

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 05, 2025 08:30 AM PHT

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Updated June 05, 2025 04:35 PM PHT

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Francis Lopez

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