UP Fighting Maroon Francis Lopez is leaving Diliman for Nagoya, Japan as he is set to take his talents to the Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japan B.League starting next season.
“Thank you to the UP Fighting Maroons and the UP community for the wonderful two years. I will never forget it. UP Fight forever,” said Lopez, who will join the Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The 6-foot-6 wing is one of the country’s highly touted prospects at the collegiate level and has, in fact, played for Gilas Pilipinas a few times already—a clear indication that he is a talent to watch out for in the years to come.
Soon to turn 22, Lopez was the UAAP Rookie of the Year in Season 86 as he helped UP go all the way to the Finals opposite the La Salle Green Archers. Lopez and the Fighting Maroons failed just short of the championship that season but made up for it with a golden run in Season 87, where Lopez averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He also hit a dagger triple that put away the winner-take-all Game 3 in favor of the Katipunan-based five.
“’Di tayo dapat malungkot dahil nakaka-proud itong gagawin ni Francis. He’s the latest proof that what we do works and our student-athletes give pride to the UP community,” added UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol about Lopez’s decision to forego the remaining three years of his collegiate eligibility by turning pro.
Francis Lopez Is a Topnotch Athlete with Experience in Big Games
While largely unpolished, Francis Lopez is undeniably one of the best athletes the Philippines has right now, and that’s the main thing he will bring to the Fighting Eagles.
Lopez probably won’t be a primary ballhandler for Nagoya. Neither will he be the no. 1 or no. 2 option. But he will put his elite athleticism to good news by filling the lane, getting dunks, scoring on a few high-wire lay-ups, blocking some shots, and hounding opposing scorers on defense. So, don’t be surprised if Lopez makes a few highlights in Japan—a huge dunk here, a chase-down block there, and lots of athletic caroms.
Don’t be surprised either if Lopez isn’t fazed by the bright lights of the pro game. After all, he has played for Gilas three different times—at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in 2023, FIBA Asia Cup 2022, and FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers 2021—and has played in the Finals of the UAAP in his two years at Katipunan. In six games, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assist.
Of course, only time will tell how Lopez’s game will translate in Japan—or if it will translate at all. But he definitely has the tools and raw talent to help the Flying Eagles. It would also be interesting to see how much the young man adds to his game, if any. For instance, one aspect of his game that needs work is his shooting, and a better shot will surely go a long way in him becoming a more potent weapon for Nagoya.
From the de Liano Bros to Carl Tamayo to Francis Lopez
With his impending stint in Japan, Lopez will be the latest in a string of former Fighting Maroons who have taken their talents overseas Most notable of these former UP players is Carl Tamayo, who led the Changwon LG Sakers to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) Finals opposite the Seoul SK Knights and another ex-Fighting Maroon, Juan Gomez de Liano.
JD Cagulangan is also playing in the KBL, while Javi Gomez de Liano, younger brother of Juan, just finished out his contract in the same league. Meanwhile, Kobe Paras, himself a former Fighting Maroon, once played in the Japan B.League.
The Fighting Eagles finished the 2024–25 season with a 27-29 record and will be looking to rebound next season, hopefully with Francis Lopez as a key contributor.
