After not being picked in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, graduating Lyceum guard Ato Barba is out for blood.
The Pirates’ 90-89 loss to Mapua in double overtime to open their NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball campaign didn’t dampen Barba’s idea of a revenge tour.
‘After the PBA Draft, I really got sad and frustrated,’ Barba told the Inquirer at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
‘I told myself that I’ll bounce back here because this is the only place I could show my talent now. I have to give my best because after college, I don’t know where my career will go.’
Unlike former teammate JM Bravo, who was drafted by Terrafirma, Barba wasn’t tapped despite being one of the league’s top scorers last season.
While struggling in their Season 101 opener, finishing with just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting, he remains determined to tackle Lyceum’s upcoming games with full intensity.
‘I don’t really want to show coaches that they should regret not picking me because I’m also thinking that my game isn’t at the professional level yet. I still lack a lot,’ Barba said.
‘This season, I’ll try to improve those things here. I’ll play my best.’
Barba hopes to make more impact for Lyceum this Sunday when they take on Perpetual Help at San Juan Arena.