NU's Steve Nash Enriquez defending former teammate Kean Baclaan now of La Salle. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – No personal grudges, just pure business.
Kean Baclaan, formerly of National University but now with De La Salle University, is relishing the encounters against his former school, citing his bond with his ex-teammates.
The ex-Bulldogs star showed the way in taking down his former school, 69-64, in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
READ: Kean Baclaan leads La Salle's smothering of former team NU in Filoil preseason
This might not be the first time he battled his former UAAP squad, but he had always cherished the opportunities to play against them, also vowing to "give his all" in the upcoming matches.
"Lagi ko na lang din sinasabi na once nakakatapat ko sila, sinisimulan ko sa practice talaga, kasi sabi ko sa teammates ko, 'gusto ko mag-lock in kasi NU 'yung kalaban,'" said the playmaker.
"Once na nakakalaban ko sila, binibigay ko 'yung best ko kasi nga kasi sila 'yung former team ko," he added.
Baclaan also shared that familiarity played a role in the preseason win, as he had been exposed to their offensive and defensive quirks.
"May time na alam ko na rin 'yung ginagawa nila sa depensa, sa opensa, nababasa ko rin," he said.
Baclaan dropped 18 points, including the game-sealing free throws with 2.3 ticks on the clock to put away the Bulldogs for the Green Archers' third win.
He shared that the bond had always been there as they have been part of his UAAP career.
READ: FilOil: Kean Baclaan meets old running partners as La Salle faces National U
"'Yung bond pa rin andoon e, kasi almost two years ko rin silang nakasama. So siyempre, part na rin sila ng college career ko."
The do-it-all guard sat out UAAP Season 87 to serve his one-year residency, and is eligible to play for La Salle in the collegiate slugfest in Season 88.
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