Kean Baclaan foregoes final UAAP season with La Salle, turns pro for family

MANILA, Philippines – Citing the need to provide for his family, La Salle Green Archers guard Kean Baclaan foregoes his final playing year in the UAAP and turns professional.

“I have no decision yet (where I’ll go). As of now, I have no team yet, but I want to go pro for my family,” Baclaan, a father of one, told Rappler in Filipino on Wednesday, January 28.

Baclaan formally bid La Salle players, coaching staff, and management goodbye during team practice on Wednesday, barely two months after helping the Archers secure the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball crown over the UP Fighting Maroons.

His former teammates took to social media to thank him for his lone season donning the green and white.

Baclaan’s season was spoiled by a Grade III MCL sprain he suffered in a game against the UE Red Warriors in October, causing him to miss a significant chunk of the elimination round.

The shifty guard was able to return just in time, helping La Salle oust top seed and twice-to-beat NU Bulldogs in the Final Four, then beat the defending champion Maroons in the title series.

Baclaan ended the season with averages of 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds as he leaves Taft after two years there, the first of which he spent in residency.

Prior to his La Salle stint, Baclaan suited up for the Bulldogs for two seasons before his transfer.

Point guard duties will now be handled by Jacob Cortez and his younger brother Mikey, who is recovering from a knee injury, and Doy Dungo.

Outside the UAAP, Baclaan saw action for Batang Kankaloo in the Junior MPBL, where he dropped 50 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in Game 3 of the finals in 2025. – Rappler.com