NCAA Champion Clifford Jopia is now officially a professional hooper!
The 6-foot-8 Cebuano joins Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) ball club Blackwater Bossing after signing a two-year deal today, December 19, two days after winning an NCAA ring with the San Beda Red Lions.
The Danao City, Cebu native was a third round 26th overall draftee by the Jeffrey Cariaso-coached Bossing during the most recent PBA Draft last September 2023.
25 year-old Jopia was instrumental in the Red Lions' journey to the top, posting Finals averages of 7.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2 blocks a contest in the three-game series - a notch higher than his season numbers of 5.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.6 apg, and 1.3 bpg.
Jopia is already eligible to play for the Bossing when they go up against the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, December 22, where he will have the chance to meet a familiar NCAA face in LPU Pirates' Enoch Valdez who has recently signed with the Road Warriors.