“Walang Barba na maglalaro kung hindi ako pinagkatiwalaan ng coaches. Ng LPU.”
John ‘Ato’ Barba has been synonymous with LPU.
For 8 years the Sta. Rosa, Laguna native stayed loyal to the Pirates’ basketball program, making a promising mark in the NCAA juniors division as an MVP (Season 95) before becoming one of the finest in collegiate hoops with a Mythical 5 selection (Season 100) in his belt.
In between the exploits, Barba thrived through the peaks and the valleys. To end his NCAA campaign the way it did left not a single fragment of regret in Barba’s heart– only feelings of gratitude and an ardent belief in the next generation of Pirates.
QUARTERFINAL EXIT
“Sobrang thankful ko sa LPU as buong NCAA kasi wala ako dito kung hindi dahil sa NCAA at sa LPU,” the 6-foot-2 star forward told GMA Regional TV News after LPU’s quarterfinal loss to San Beda University.
“Okay naman yung mindset namin pagdating sa quarters, alam naman natin San Beda is a championship team, okay yung scouting at paghahanda nila. Kumbaga binigay naman namin yung best namin, pero [San Beda] pumutok talaga and lumayo na sila, so nakuha nila,” he added.
In what would be Barba’s final NCAA game, he tallied a team-high 13 points with 2 rebounds and 4 assists as he valiantly fought to power LPU past the powerhouse Red Lions.
“Wala kaming pinagsisisihan kasi first of all, yung pinagdaanan namin nung eliminations na nasa huli kami pero nakapasok pa rin kami ng quarterfinals. Nasubukan kami ngayon dito. Hindi kami pinalad,” the 25-year-old winger said.
The Gilbert Malabanan-coached squad didn’t have the best of starts in Season 101, riding out flat with five straight losses right off the gates en route to a 3-10 record at the end of the classification round.
Following the league's new basketball format, LPU’s fourth-place finish in Group A meant having to first topple fifth-seed groupmate San Sebastian before coming to blows with the twice-to-beat-armored Group B leaders San Beda University.
They expelled the Golden Stags, but could not figure out the Red Lions. And so after three consecutive Final Four appearances (Season 98, 99, 100), Barba and the Intramuros squad were denied entry.
EIGHT-YEAR NCAA CAREER
Prior to a remarkable collegiate career, Barba first emerged as the top cager in the highly competitive NCAA juniors division, where his Season 95 averages of 20.8 points, 8.8 boards, and 2.8 assists earned him the top individual award.
He led the star-laden Mythical Five team that featured ace players Yukien Andrada, McLaude Guadaña, Justine Sanchez, and Jonnel Policarpio. He also received an impressive Defensive Team nod.
“Yung journey kong eight years, hindi naging madali. Nanggaling ako sa juniors, umangat ako agad sa seniors and hindi naging madali sa akin yung pag-angat ko ng seniors, ang lalaki and the physicality,” he recalled.
The homegrown NCAA cager had his most impressive year in seniors basketball in Season 100, where he earned a Mythical Five selection while leading LPU with stellar averages of 17.6 points (2nd in NCAA), 4.7 boards, and 3 assists.
Barba’s numbers took a dip in Season 101 as opposing teams, well-aware of the Lyceum star’s playmaking threat, put a target on his back in order to limit his touches and, ultimately, contain his production.
In his final year, Ato extracted 13.86 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.4 dimes.
Despite the early exit, Barba said he is overwhelmingly grateful.
“Sa 8 years na yun, thank you sa lahat. Sa mga teammates ko, sa coaches, para sa opportunity. Walang Barba na maglalaro kung hindi ako pinagkatiwalaan. On to the next na ako, proud ako sa teammates at kapwa graduating ko, sana maging maganda yung mga career namin,” Barba said in smiles.
He had bottomless thanks for the LPU community, thanking the school’s patrons and supporters for their undwindling support despite their dismal finish.
“Down na down kami, pero pag nakakakita kami ng sumusuporta sa amin, napakasarap sa puso. Walang sawang pasasalamat.”
“Magpapatuloy pa rin ang LPU basketball. Alam ko babawi yang mga brother ko next season,” he concluded.
