John Lloyd Clemente foregoes final playing year with NU to play in MPBL

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 9) — John Lloyd Clemente has decided to forego his fifth and final playing year with the National University to play for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

"Maraming salamat sa NU community sa pag-support sa'kin sa 10 years na paglalaro ko sa NU. It's been an honor na makapaglaro para sa Bulldogs at Bullpups," the 24-year-old cager said in a statement Friday.

[Translation: Thank you to the NU community for the support it has given me in the 10 years I played for the school. It's been an honor to play for the Bulldogs and the Bullpups.]

The longtime NU student-athlete steered the school to a championship in the juniors in 2016.

In what turned out to be his final stint in the UAAP in Season 85, Clemente helped NU reach the Final Four for the first time in seven years.

NU men's basketball head coach Jeff Napa thanked Clemente for his contributions to the school and program.

"Siyempre, nagpapasalamat kami kay JLC para sa lahat ng nagawa niya para sa NU at sa NU community. Naging patunay siya dun sa programa namin from juniors to seniors at pati na rin sa 'Education that works,'" he said.

[Translation: I thank John Lloyd Clemente (JLC) for everything he has done for NU and the NU community. He's proof of our program from the juniors to seniors.]

New leaders will step up for the NU squad with Steve Nash Enriquez, Kean Baclaan, Pat Yu, and Mike Malonzo taking the charge in UAAP Season 86.