“Bawi Tayo”: Baclaan’s Message That Sparked La Salle
It started with a message — “Bawi tayo.” Just hours after the crushing Game 3 loss of La Salle to UP in last year’s UAAP Finals, one player broke the silence in a group chat shared by four guys who hadn’t played a minute all season.
That player was Kean Baclaan. The chat was for La Salle’s residency boys — Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo — four fresh additions sitting on the sidelines, itching to make an impact, to carve their own legacies in Green and White.
“Right after nung championship nila na matalo… may GC kaming apat na residency boys ” Baclaan recalled in an exclusive interview. “Sabi ko, bawi tayo. So, lock-in tayo this season.”
Fast forward to the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, and the payoff finally came. DLSU got its retribution — at least a small taste of it — beating the defending UAAP champion UP Fighting Maroons 106–99 in a high-octane thriller where every attempt felt like it was going to go in. It wasn’t just a preseason win between the two early UAAP favorites who look like they could have a trilogy. It was a warning shot.
Jacob Cortez lit up the scoreboard with a performance reminiscent of another legend who wore 11 and resided in Taft: 31 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and zero turnovers on a ridiculous 12-for-16 shooting clip — an efficiency line that Tyrese Haliburton would nod at in approval. Baclaan added 20 points and 4 rebounds of his own. Pablo was a rock with 11 points and 6 boards. Amos hit two three-pointers and made his presence felt defensively, showing he’s not just a sniper but a hopeful two-way threat.
RELATED: From Mike to Jacob: Redefining the Cortez Legacy at DLSU
This wasn’t just talent. This was also purpose.
“Every time may game kami, lagi naman hinahanda ni Coach Topex,” Baclaan said. “Kahit sinong kalaban — UP, FEU, Ateneo, UST, NU — basta aggressive kami every time naglalaro kami.”
Still, this one meant more. Especially for Pablo, who transferred to La Salle from UP. “May motivation na din sa aming apat na papasok,” Baclaan added. “Lalo si Luis, siyempre, galing siyang UP. Masarap silang kalaban kasi na-challenge din kami kung nasaan na kami as a team.”
For Baclaan, this was never just a preseason scrimmage. This was a personal barometer — and a preview of what he intends to bring come UAAP Season 87.
“Well naman, maganda naman yung pinakita namin. Siguro, yung isang week namin na practice eh, na-lock-in na kami. Last Monday pa lang, alam namin na UP na yung kalaban namin. So, pinaghandaan na talaga namin.”
Baclaan, a Muntinlupa native and childhood friend of La Salle star Kevin Quiambao, carries a chip on his shoulder and the mindset of a leader. “Siguro, masasabi ko na mababawi ko si KQ if ever na matalo ko sila sa UAAP. Kasi dito testing lang, di ba? Pagkatapos ng pre-season, marami pang mangyayari after neto.”
For all the new names joining the roster, there’s already chemistry that feels battle-tested. That GC — residency boys only — helped forge it.
“Medyo proud din ako sa aming apat,” Baclaan said.
And when Baclaan finally suited up in green and white in front of a crowd, the moment wasn’t lost on him.
“First time ko rin maglaro ngayon, madaming crowd. So sobrang akong na-hype… Sabi ko ah, pagpasok ko na, bibigay ko na lang yung best game. Medyo maganda naman agad yung pinakita ko.”
From a quiet group chat to a roaring gym in San Juan, the message is now loud and clear.
The residency boys are here.
