BACLAAN DIDN'T QUIT AFTER INJURY - AND SO LA SALLE FOLLOWED SUIT VS NU

WHEN Kean Baclaan went down with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear early into La Salle’s UAAP Season 88 campaign, he feared not only for his season but for his basketball future altogether.

In the rawest moments after the injury, the 22-year-old guard admitted that the thought of walking away from the sport crossed his mind.

La Salle's Kean Baclaan PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau

Now a father, Baclaan said his first instinct was not to fight for a comeback, but to think of what was best for his family.

"Tatay na ako eh. Right after nung na-injury ako, ‘yung feeling ko, parang ayoko na mag-basketball. Sabi ko, ayoko na," Baclaan said after his emotional return, where he posted six points, two assists, and one rebound in La Salle's Final Four triumph over No. 1 National U.

He was left overwhelmed to a point where he refused to begin therapy in the first days following the injury.

Instead, he went home, consumed by anxiety and the uncertainty of what would come next.

"Isang week nu’n, umuwi ako sa (Muntinlupa) namin and laging tumatawag si coach Topex [Robinson] sa akin na magsama ka ng kasama mo kasi hindi niya alam kung ano ‘yung gagawin ko," he recalled.

"Sobrang nagkaka-anxiety ako, hindi ko alam yung gagawin ko. Hindi rin ako nagti-therapy nung first one week, two weeks kasi nga iyak lang ako nang iyak. Tinatanong ko bakit sa akin pa nangyayari?"

But once the emotional dust settled, Baclaan committed himself fully to recovery — not just for basketball, but also for his family who has supported him every step of his collegiate career.

He sought multiple medical opinions and held firm on one decision: no surgery.

Undergoing one would have ended any hope of returning before Season 88 closed, and potentially jeopardized his availability for Season 89.

A second MRI brought the first spark of hope, but with it came a rigorous rehab plan and a road back.

Still, Baclaan said the pain of the injury and even parts of the recovery was immense.

"Sabi ng doctor namin, ng PT namin, mas worse ‘yung sa’kin kaysa kay Mason [Amos], sobra. Kung ‘yung one to 100, sasabihin ko 100 ‘yung sakit. As in, sobrang sakit talaga," he said.

"Akala ko nga nu’ng nangyayari sa’kin ‘yun, parang lumabas ‘yung buto. Ganun ‘yung na-feel ko."

And fotrunately, he did avoid surgery entirely.

"Sabi ko, thank you Lord na lang talaga na hindi ako inoperahan and kinailangan lang ng therapy."

La Salle with its entire arsenal

Now, after weeks of relentless rehab and passing his hop test, Baclaan is finally back, about ’90 to 95 percent’ he said.

La Salle's Kean Baclaan PHOTO: Mark Cristino

To be part of a complete La Salle roster for only the second time this season means everything as the stars have aligned when they needed it most.

"Ito pa lang ‘yung second time na na-complete kami kasi nga ang daming injury, suspension," he said, referring to various bans to teammates Vhoris Marasigan and EJ Gollena, as well as his and Amos' timeout due to injury.

"Kanina naninibago kami sa warm-up kasi ang dami namin, complete kami. Extra motivated lang kami kasi ito ‘yung pinrepare namin for the whole year."

With La Salle now fully loaded at the most crucial stretch of the season, Baclaan just wants to stay ready for whatever comes next.

As he put it, "We just need to be ready lang kung ano ‘yung mga challenges pang darating."

2025-12-03T10:15:04Z