LPU star Ato Barba keeps head high after PBA draft setback

Ato Barba’s name may not have been called during the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft night, but the Lyceum of the Philippines star is not going to be dwelling on it for long.

The 25-year-old vowed to keep chasing his basketball dream despite being one of the 45 hopefuls left undrafted last Sunday at the Draft in MOA Music Hall.

READ MORE | LIST: PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft

"Sa lahat po ng nakasubaybay sa'kin simula una at sa mga taong naniniwala po sa'kin, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Hindi ko na po kayo maisa isa pero sobrang thank you po sa inyo," Barba said in a Facebook post just hours after the draft proceedings.

"Hindi man po pinalad pero babangon pa rin po."

[To all those who followed me from the beginning and to the people who believe in me, thank you so much to you all. I can't name you all but thank you very much to you... I might not have been fortunate but I will get back up from this.]

Barba was the second leading scorer last NCAA Season 100, dropping 17.61 points per game through the elimination round to steer the LPU Pirates to their third straight Final Four appearance. 

He was also named to the Mythical Five cast alongside MVP Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot of Benilde, Clint Escamis of Mapua, and Tristan Felebrico of San Sebastian.

Tthe 6-foot-2 guard has been making noise since his high school years, highlighted by his NCAA Juniors MVP award in Season 95 with the Junior Pirates.

He is now expected to lead LPU for his final playing year in college as the Pirates eye an end to their Finals drought with Barba leading the core of Gyle Montaño, Simon Peñafiel, Renz Villegas, and Michael Verzosa and with head coach Gilbert Malabanan still calling the shots. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News