Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    Francis 'LeBron' Lopez again part of Ateneo's plans for the future?

    Here's what we know
    Dec 22, 2022
    LeBron Lopez hugs coach Tab Baldwin as they join Ange Kouame in celebrating Ateneo's latest championship.
    LeBron Lopez hugs coach Tab Baldwin as they join Ange Kouame in celebrating Ateneo's latest championship.
    PHOTO: UAAAP

    FROM all the memorable sights inside the Big Dome on this manic Monday, as the Ateneo Blue Eagles wrested back the UAAP championship from the UP Maroons, one young man in the sidelines piqued the interest of basketball fans.

    Francis 'LeBron' Lopez.

    The high-flying forward was caught by the cameras early in the game as he joined the Blue Eagles in a pre-game huddle, and again after the title-clinching 75-68 win when he joined coach Tab Baldwin and Ange Kouame in a group hug.

    Some fans inevitably ended up asking: Is he going to play for the Blue Eagles in the coming years?

    [READ: How Francis Lopez turned into LeBron the Gilas prodigy]

    The 20-year-old, of course, previously played with the Blue Eaglets where he looked like a man among boys in the UAAP juniors, and was widely expected to star for the seniors team until the pandemic led to a sudden change of plans.

    The phenom who filled his IG page with breathtaking dunks in a neighborhood court soon got caught in a tug of war before making a decision to sign with Overtime Elite, a new league in the US designed as a stepping stone for high school standouts with dreams of making the NBA, much like the Ignite program of the D League which Kai Sotto briefly signed up for.

    MORE ABOUT LEBRON LOPEZ
    MORE ABOUT LEBRON LOPEZ

      But just when Lopez looked like he was bound for big things, for some reason he never got on a plane bound for the US, supposedly because of issues concerning his US visa, or specifically his failure to secure one.

      When that window closed, Lopez wound up joining the Gilas Pilipinas pool, although he looked more like an apprentice in Chot Reyes' group of PBA stars, overseas-based players and college standouts.

      Where to, Bron?

      Not much, really, was heard from Lopez since until his appearance in Ateneo games where he was clad in that resplendent blue shirt, looking very much like he's been around the team for so long.

      ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

      When we asked around, here's what we got.

      Before any decision can be made by both Lopez and Ateneo on a possible return to the Blue Eagles, a question needs to be settled within the UAAP board with regards to the player's eligibility to play in the collegiate league.

      LeBron Lopez

      CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
      Watch Now

      Did Lopez renounce his college eligibility when he signed a contract with the Overtime Elite pro league, even if he didn't play a single minute on the court? That's a decision the UAAP board may have to vote on when the time comes.

      "His eligibility status will have to be resolved, first" said an Ateneo insider with knowledge on the matter, "then he can make his decisions."

      Is Ateneo keen on taking him back?

      "He's Atenean," the insider said. "We take care of our own."

      [READ: Is Lopez worth the hype? Coaches speak up]

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      LeBron Lopez hugs coach Tab Baldwin as they join Ange Kouame in celebrating Ateneo's latest championship.
      PHOTO: UAAAP
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result