Kean Baclaan had officially announced his move to De La Salle following his departure from National University last month. 

In a post on X on Saturday night, Feb. 3, Baclaan simply said, “Animo!”

Turning 21 after New Year’s Day, perhaps the biggest decision Baclaan made was leaving the Bulldogs where he played two seasons for. 

Now finding his way to Taft to seek new challenges, Baclaan will be joining reigning UAAP MVP and childhood friend Kevin Quiambao in the champion squad, which he will be eligible to suit up for in Season 88 after serving a one-year residency.  

Aside from the 5-foot-8 playmaker, the first high-profile guard to make the switch to “greener pastures” was former San Beda Red Lions Jacob Cortez as their duo will be intended to fill the void left by Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy, who both helped steer La Salle to its 10th title. 

Baclaan averaged 10.73 points, 4.53 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.87 steals in Season 86 that saw the Bulldogs suffer a Final Four defeat, coincidentally, at the hands of eventual champion Green Archers. 

Before launching his collegiate career in NU, Baclaan actually had a one-and-done stint at De La Salle-Zobel, making it a sort of homecoming for him.

Shortly after his departure from NU, though, Baclaan was weighing options between transferring to another UAAP school or jumping straight to the pro ranks.