ATO Barba and JM Bravo are looking to make it to the PBA together after being longtime teammates at Lyceum in the NCAA.
Barba is coming off an Season 100 Mythical Five selection after averaging 17.61 points, 5.83 rebounds, 2.89 assists, and 1.22 steals for the Pirates, who made it to the Final Four.
Barba also drew attention for an incident involving Bravo after the latter was left unconscious on the court in a game against Arellano, as his jaw collided with Renzo Abiera’s head.
A panic-stricken Barba later shook the head of Bravo in an attempt to revive his teammate, a gesture that drew a couple of negative reactions at that time.
With the incident now behind them, Barba is vying for a chance to make it to the PBA, while also focusing on Lyceum's upcoming voyage in Season 101.
“Siyempre, nakapag-breakout season po ako last season, naging part ako ng Mythical Five. Parang doon ko na-boost ‘yung confidence ko na umangat sa pro,” said the 25-year-old Barba.
“PBA draft, nagdodoble effort po ako. At the same time, malapit na rin po ‘yung season namin sa NCAA. Nagpapalakas po ako ng katawan, ini-improve ko ‘yung shooting ko at decision-making ability ko,” the 6-foot-2 guard added.
Entering his final year with the Pirates, Barba hopes that there is pressure to perform since he is about to enter the pro ranks.
“May pressure po. After ng college career naman natin, hindi na po natin alam kung ano ‘yung magiging next step ng career natin. Humihingi na po ako ng guide, unang-una kay God at sa family ko na sumusuporta sa akin. Sila ang inspirasyon ko para lumaban,” he said.
“Kung papalarin po ako, ibibigay ko pinaka-super best ko at effort ko. Kung ano ipapagawa ng mga coaches, susundin ko,” he added.
Barba is also happy to be joining the draft alongside Bravo, who he considers as his brother.
“Nag-uusap kami ni JM. As a brother, mino-motivate namin ang isa’t-isa. Kailangan naming maipakita ‘yung talent namin sa pro. Lagi naman kami magkasama kasi kami-kami rin ‘yung magkaka-close dito,” he said.
JM tackles draft challenge head-on
On the other hand, the 6-foot-4 Bravo played seven games and averaged 9.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for Lyceum last season, his final year with the team, before turning pro.
“Nung bata ako, pinapangarap ko lang ito. Thankful din ako na nandito ngayon, kasama ko ‘yung isa kong kapatid sa Lyceum, si Ato, at si Greg [Cunanan]. Sa mga nagtitiwala, susubukan namin ‘yung best namin para makapasok sa PBA,” he said.
Looking back at the incident that knocked him out and Barba’s reaction, the 6-foot-4 Bravo said: “Sa mga comment kasi, hindi naman alam ng tao kung ano ang meron kami. Sa LPU, ang turingan namin magkakapatid, magkakapamilya. ‘Yung mga ganung bagay, hindi namin iniintindi ‘yun. Kami ang nakakaalam talaga kung anong meron sa big circle namin.”
Nonetheless, Bravo guarantees he will bring all-out effort to the team that will pick him in the PBA.
As he put it, “Ibibigay ko lahat ng best ko, effort ko, kung saan man akong posisyon or ano man ang gawin sa akin, gagawin ko lalo na sa mga coaches kung ano man ang plano sa akin.”
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