John Barba took charge in the endgame to help host Lyceum of the Philippines University stun Jose Rizal University, 97-92, and barge into the win column of NCAA Season 100 on Sunday.
The veteran shooter stepped up in the absence of injured teammate JM Bravo as he dropped 28 points alongside five rebounds and three assists as the Pirates improved to 1-2 after two early losses.
The fourth-year Barba got ample help from other LPU veterans with team captain Greg Cunanan and seasoned guard Mclaude Guadaña chipping in 20 and 17 markers apiece to recover from their heartbreaks against San Beda and San Sebastian.
The Heavy Bombers, who wasted a lead as big as 13, fell to 0-3.
“It’s not about Ato only, it’s a team effort. Hindi rin naman makaka-shoot si Ato kung hindi dahil sa rebounds ng big men namin at mga pasa ng teammates,” LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
“It’s a total team effort and I’m very glad na Ato responded well sa challenge ko sa kanya.”
It was a fourth quarter to remember for the Pirates, especially for the veterans with Guadaña powering a 12-2 run that saw them turn a 71-83 deficit to just a two-point game.
Barba then buried a triple off a JRU turnover before Cunanan converted back-to-back baskets that tied things up at 90-all with 1:27 to go in the frame.
It didn’t help JRU when Jonathan Medina, who went perfect from the field in the first half with 20 points, was fouled out with 1:03 left, setting the stage for LPU to put the punctuation in the comeback.
And who better to do it other than Barba, whose two consecutive freet hrows and a booming three-pointer in the final 26.4 seconds sealed it for the embattled Pirates.
The win came after they lost Bravo to a season-ending injury, leaving Lyceum with a depleted roster.
The loss spoiled a 22-point outing from Medina, who was helped by Joshua Guiab with the latter pouring in 20 markers and seven rebounds.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
