Meet future basketball star in John Ronald Barba. He won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the juniors division in the NCAA season 95 basketball tournament.
Born on March 3, 2000 in Binan City, Laguna, this 6-foot-2 cager dreams to become either a pilot or a professional basketball player.
JR, as he is fondly called by his friends, currently plays for Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite Campus. He joined the 2019 NBTC and helped propel his team to the next level of NCAA season 95 juniors basketball.
His favorite NBA player is Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers while in the PBA, he idolizes LA Tenorio of Ginebra Gin Kings.
“He makes it simple. He plays very smart considering his size,” said JR.
The 20-year-old student-athlete makes sure he gives school and sports equal attention. Like most of his contemporaries, he believes that while a person focuses on a specific goal, he also should have reasonable backup plans.
“I always make my assignments in schools and projects as well so that I won’t be left behind even as I play for my school.” JR shared.
His career-high in points is 30 against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in one of his NCAA games.