FRANCIS ‘LeBron’ Lopez has committed to University of the Philippines, and Carl Tamayo played a huge part in making it happen.
A video posted by nowhere to go but UP’s Facebook page saw Lopez briefly sharing how his move to UP became possible. The high-flying cager said Tamayo reached out to him about going to UP last month.
See Goldwin Monteverde gives a toast to B.League-bound Carl Tamayo
“Last month, he texted me on Viber to say ‘Dito ka na sa UP.’ And you know, I just decided that I want to go to UP,” said Lopez.
“And here I am,” he added.
The conversation happened before Tamayo decided to sign a deal in the Japan B.League.
“And then, I heard about him going to Japan. And I was like, ‘Carl, ano na? Iniwan mo na ako,’” said Lopez in jest.
Lopez though will stay for good, even with Tamayo’s departure after it looked like he is set for a return to Ateneo after showing up in a couple of its games during UAAP Season 85 including in the Game Three clincher against UP. The news also came while Ateneo held a bonfire at its campus to celebrate the UAAP championship.
Rappler first reported on Saturday Lopez’s transfer to UP.
“UP is a great institution with a very good basketball program and management group. I know deep in my heart that the UP Nowhere To Go But Up foundation will take care of me as a student and as an athlete,” Lopez said in a statement.
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