Ian Lariba's contributions as the first Filipino Olympian from table tennis will never be forgotten.
Lariba, 23, passed away Sunday evening after more than a year of battle against acute myeloid leukemia, and efforts are being recognized by the La Sallian community, and the Philippine Sports Commission and president Rodrigo Duterte to honor her.
“The President, through the PSC, will take care of the bills of Yanyan. We committed support to her,” said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a statement.
Lariba was admitted to St. Luke’s Bonifacio Global City on August 17, following a relapse.
She was completing a five-day chemotherapy protocol and just had a brain and spine MRI last August 23, before things went downhill for her.
And she was set to undergo lymphocyte infusion and a three-week stay at the hospital as well.
“We committed support to her. We paid the hospital bills and we will help the family until she goes to Cagayan de Oro. It’s important that people should know her and her contributions to sports being the first Filipino Olympian from table tennis,” added Ramirez.
Her mom Imelda said Lariba was able to set a good example to kids her age.
“She served as an ambassador for cancer patients. She inspired children with cancer when she was invited as guest speaker in an event organized by the Rotary in Bacolod last Dec. 28 to 30. She spoke about her experiences sa treatment and admission,” said Mrs. Lariba.
The young Lariba became well-known when, as a multi-titled student-athlete at La Salle, she saw action in the Rio Olympics in 2016.
“(She) inspired these kids by telling them that they should not be discouraged and depressed. She told them that I got sick kahit na athlete ako. Binigay sa akin ito, fight lang and move on. She also spoke infront of children with cancer at bahay aruga this year and was invited speaker at St. Lukes on being a blood recipient,” Mrs. Lariba added.
The Philippine Table Tennis Federation, through its president Ting Ledesma, said they will miss Lariba.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of our star, our first ever Olympian, arguably the greatest Filipina table tennis player of all time Ian Lariba,” said the PTTF in a statement.
She had an eventful five-year run with the La Salle Lady Paddlers, after she and her team remained champions.
A native of Cagayan de Oro City, Lariba made an impact when she entered the UAAP in 2011.
She was named Season 74 Rookie of the Year, and the following year, she helped steer La Salle to their first championship in seven years.
La Salle sports official Nong Calanog said Lariba was full of determination before she died.
“She was looking forward to working, and studying for two more years, and apply what she has learned,” said Calanog.
Calanog said a wake is set to take place at the St. Peter’s Memorial chapel in Commonwealth, Quezon City, and with viewing set at 12 nn today.
Her remains will be at the St. Claire room till Wednesday, before it is flown to Cagayan de Oro City.
For her performance during her days with La Salle, she was given the Most Valuable Player award for season 74.
Lariba then led the Lady Paddlers to a perfect elimination round record in Season 76. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on their thrice-to-beat advantage as they lost the crown to the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons.
She was still at the forefront for her team, as two more table tennis titles came in for DLSU in Seasons 77 and 78.
She was crowned MVP both times for having the best individual record among the competing players.
The finance major capped off her UAAP career with an unblemished record, winning all of her individual matches.
She was also given the UAAP Athlete of the Year Award in 2015, a distinction given to varsity players who excelled inside and outside of league competition. All in all, her five-year stint with the Green-and-White produced a total of three championships and three MVP awards.
Due to her outstanding individual prowess, the team captain was chosen to represent the Philippines in several tournaments abroad. Her first great achievement in the international arena came in 2014, when she, along with DLSU teammate Jane Sy, won first place in the fourth division of the World Table Tennis Championship held in Tokyo, Japan.
She underwent a bone marrow transplant and was discharged from the hospital October last year.
She was on the road to recovery and a possible return to the sport she has always loved.
But in January this year, she experienced terrible headaches and underwent a head surgery.
Her condition worsened the following months.