Spencer had been a crucial figure in UP’s championship runs in the last four years.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star James Spencer has announced that he will skip his final year of eligibility with the team as he takes his talents abroad.
In his four years with UP, Spencer will probably be best remembered for hitting one of the biggest shots in UP’s championship run.
The Filipino-Australian guard hit a clutch three-point shot in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 84 finals against the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles, forcing the game to go to overtime. UP went on to win that game, and eventually the championship. That title run broke the 36-year championship drought in Diliman.
Pundits and fans alike think if Spencer's shot didn't go in, the tide could have easily turned in favor of the Blue Eagles.
It was a magical season that fans will never forget, and Spencer helped complete that. So when the 6-foot-4 guard announced his decision to leave UP, many fans quickly sent out their messages of gratitude.
A handful of Twitter users, like @attyjong, pointed out that in all of Spencer's UAAP years, UP had a podium finish.
Many UP fans also wished the 23-year-old well in his next journey.
Spencer is already training with the Dandeong Rangers in the NBL1 South, a semi-professional league in Australia, as reported by Naveen Ganglani.
In a short tweet, Spencer gave a short but sweet message about his time in UP.