The  22-year-old native from Valencia, Bukidnon shared that the uncertainty of collegiate sports’ return made him decide to leave the UAAP in his hands. 

“This is a painful announcement, but it is one I have to make: I am entering the 2021 PBA Draft,” Melecio averred.

The 5-foot-9 gunslinger got the blessing from Lasalle management to turn pro as the UAAP Season 83 was bound to be played this February 2021 but the Inter-agency Task Force has yet to approve the protocols for the league which resulted in scrapping the entire UAAP season. 

“There are just some things in life that we can’t control, and this was one of them. This was not the ending I expected for my time playing for the green and white. Being the team captain in my last playing year, I almost did not let go, but there are just some hard, but important decisions we must make,” he clarified in a post. 

“From watching the Green Archers on TV when I was a kid in Bukidnon to eventually representing La Salle, holding the banner high and bright was a dream come true for me. I am beyond grateful to the Lasallian Community for giving me a chance to showcase my talents and enhance my skills. I appreciate the DLSU management and especially coach Derick for being honest and fair to his players. I also like to thank Boss ECJ, Boss Raffy Villavicencio, Boss Terry Capistrano, Justice Reyes, Atty. Mans Carpio, and Boss Eric Ongkuako for their unwavering support.”

With this, Melecio comes to the draft as one of the best marksmen in the list, as seen in his performance last Season 82 where he tallied 10.6 points on 32-percent shooting from threes, alongside 3.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Melecio expresses that he had been truly grateful and takes pride in being able to be part of the green and white squad.

“From Zobel to Taft, I always bleed green. I will always be a Lasallian and I hope to keep making the Lasallian Community proud as a professional basketball player. #11 Signing Off,” he ended.