Inanunsiyo ng bagong propesyunal na liga sa United States na Overtime Elite ang paglagda sa kanila ni Francis "Lebron" Lopez na dating miyembro ng Gilas Pilipinas squad at Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) sa University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)

“We’re delighted to have Lebron join the OTE family as we expand our international reach, bringing in top talent from across the globe,” pahayag ni OTE EVP head of basketball operations Brandon Williams sa inilabas nilang press release.

“Francis is a young man who has impressed us with both the combination of pure passion for the game and self-improvement, physical athleticism, work ethic, as well as many leadership intangibles. He’s the kind of player we want and expect to thrive at OTE,” dagdag nito.

Ang Overtime Elite ay isang liga na nagbibigay ng year-round development program sa ilalim ng world-class coaching na may kaakibat na sports science at performance technologies gamit ang top-notch facilities at personalized academic program na makakatulong sa pagpapalakas at pagpapaangat ng kakayahan ng isang manlalaro bilang propesyonal.

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Bawat manlalaro ay nakatakdang tumanggap ng minimum na sahod na $100,000 habang bibigyan sila ng karapatan ng OTE na humanap ng sarili nilang mga sponsors.

Dahil dito, hindi na makalalaro pa si Lopez para sa Ateneo.

Marivic Awitan