The LPU Pirates aren’t always on everybody’s Final Four radar. And yet for the past three seasons, the NCAA would realize that there is so much more to this Gilbert Malabanan-coached squad than meets the eye.
Malabanan knows fully well that Season 101 won’t be a walk in the park, and so he trusts that his boys and their “doubled” offseason hustle– led by steady leaders Ato Barba and Renz Villegas– will be key as they charge into the impending NCAA wars.
“Mas namo-motivate kami na ganon, na hindi kami pine-predict sa Final Four, but we prove them wrong, ganun lang naman kami palagi eh, we do the work. We don't talk but we do the work,” he told GMA Synergy in an exclusive interview.
The Pirates are coming off their third straight Final Four appearance in Season 100– all despite a precariously eventful and injury-laiden season– still finishing the elimination round in fourth place with a 10-8 record. They ultimately lost to the eventual centennial champions Mapúa Cardinals during their semifinals bout.
Difficult as the path might have been, Malabanan maintains that LPU’s team spirit has never been dampened by negativities, and they are bringing the same bravado come Season 101.
“Pinapakita naman namin sa kanila na we deserve kung nasaan kami ngayon, but again kailangan namin paghirapan talaga, and lalo ngayon kailangan namin doblehin ang paghihirap namin sa mga players namin. Ang maganda sa kanila may experience na sila when it comes to the Final Four,” he explained.
Talking about the roster that will carry the Pirates’ flag in NCAA 101, Malabanan lauds LPU’s intensified offseason labors, though admits there have been inevitable roadblocks along the way.
“It’s doing great and well, pero syempre meron talagang mga bagay na hindi natin kontrolado, merong mga player na nai-injure kahit na medyo malapit na yung season but we are handling it well,” he shared, while also noting the team’s reliance on their top two scorers last season in crafty point guard Renz Villegas and returning team leader Ato Barba.
“Renz villegas is Renz Villegas, pero ang gusto pa namin makita talaga this season is yung maturity nya. Syempre may time din na gagraduate din sya so I want [to make] the most out of it to be memorable lalo ngayon Villegas is our reliable point guard,” he said of the 5-foot-8 guard from Limay, Bataan who averaged 13 points, three rebounds and two dimes per contest in Season 100.
“Kumbaga parang ang dating is malaki na yung responsibility na nakaatang sa balikat nya,” Malabanan added.
With the departure of former co-captain Greg Cunanan, John ‘Ato’ Barba will also be expected to carry much of the leadership role, in addition to an already loaded offensive arsenal which was in full display last year.
Malabanan touched on Barba’s unfavorable fate at the recently concluded PBA Draft where the Season 100 Mythical Five member went undrafted, but said he’s positive that a “different” Barba will make waves once more.
“Ato [Barba] is already part of our family and whatever feeling he has syempre kailangan namin sya damayan. But again we will help him with all our hearts, kung ano ang maitutulong namin sa kanya. I know it was very disappointing pero I know there's a reason kung bakit nangyari ang ganong bagay,” he explained, “and we are gonna assure you that Ato Barba will go to Season 101 with 100% focus– a different Barba.”
Notably, Barba was the league’s number two scorer last season (closely behind San Sebastian’s Paeng Are) with a season average of 17.61 points laced with 4.6 boards and three assists a contest.
He also has good words for their new recruits in homegrown big Jasper Matienzo and high-leaper Richmond Casiño.
“Expect the same LPU, but dadagdagan namin yung effort so yung sipag na yun naman talaga yung bread and butter namin eh, we are gonna stick that way and show that LPU is ready come Season 101,” he concluded.
