Lebron Lopez commits to UP

High school basketball standout Lebron Lopez has decided to commit to University of the Philippines.

UP men’s basketball program director Bo Perasol and team manager Agaton Uvero confirmed the development to GMA Integrated News on Sunday.

Lopez, who was part of the Ateneo high school basketball program, was called up to the Gilas Pilipinas national team in 2021. He also signed with Overtime Elite in the United States, though he remained in the Philippines.

In a statement by Lopez forwarded by Uvero, the Gilas prospect said he will commit to UP for his collegiate education and basketball career.

“After a series of heart-to-heart discussions with my family and mentors, I have decided to join UP for my college education and basketball career,” said Lopez.

“UP is a great institution with a very good basketball program and management group. I know deep in my heart that the UP No Where to Go But UP Foundation will take care of me as a student and as an athlete.”

Lopez will join the Diliman-based squad in Season 86 as he is currently enrolled in senior high school, according to Uvero.

“He is currently Grade 12,” the UP team manager said.

Lopez thanked his previous schools in the Philippines as he looked back on his journey.

“As everyone knows, I played basketball in La Salle and Ateneo during my junior years which was severely affected by the pandemic. I will always be grateful to both schools for honing my early years,” he said.

“My basketball path has been unpredictable the past 2 years as I finish my high school education. Life has thrown curveballs and a few distractions that has made me a stronger & better person.”

Lopez also thanked Carl Tamayo, who had a role in recruiting him.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank my Gilas Pilipinas teammate Carl Tamayo for the guidance and great stories that made me realize-I want to pursue my college education in UP.”

Lopez, in a video posted by Nowhere to go but UP, also told the story of how Tamayo recruited him.

“Last month, he texted me texted me on Viber to say ‘Dito ka na sa UP.’  And then I decided that I want to go to UP,” Lopez said in the video.

“Here I am, UP now.”

Lopez also joked about how Tamayo left him when he decided to join the squad.

“Then I heard about him going to Japan, and I was like ‘Carl, ano na iniwan mo na ako?’”

Tamayo will join the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B.League.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News