NCAA Junior Basketball Flashbacks: The Lyceum Junior Pirates and the Best Games of John Barba (Part 1).

John Barba dribbles his way towards their Lyceum Junior Pirates side of the court.

(Notes: In season 94, John Barba is considered one of the pillars of the Lyceum Junior Pirates’ game. The 18-year old Barba proved how important his contribution is to the team when he led the Juniors to a resounding 88-87 win last July 20, 2018. It was his charity shot in the last 11.2 seconds that won the game of the Junior Pirates. How his game matured, we have look back in season 93 to understand Barba better).

10 Aug. 2017

Thursday

Emilio Aguinaldo College gym

Ermita, Manila

Junior PiratesMarj de Leon, with Lee Ian Salazar (14, left)

The Lyceum Junior Pirates, at this point in the first round, are in the running for a Final Four semifinals slot in season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball wars.

Barba led the way with 24 points and six rebounds as the Junior Pirates stopped the EAC-ICA Brigadiers, 111-77, at their own home court.

His leadership helped send the Junior Pirates to their fourth win in seven games, and with still three encounters to in the first round.

Sean Sandoval(9) covers the left wing of the Lyceum Junior Pirates, while a teammate makes an attempt.

Hitting 15 points in the first quarter, Barba’s output provided the spark that allowed the Junior Pirates to move away, 34-21, after 10 minutes.

Teammates Marj de Leon and Sean Sandoval backed him up with double digit outputs as well, with de Leon making 12 and 11 points.

Maui Cruz had 26 points for the Brigadiers, who suffered their sixth straight loss.

Junior Pirates Mclaude Guadana (16) and Lee Ian Salazar (14) play defense.

At that time in the season, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies have won six straight games, and the Malayan High School Red Robins are trailing at 5-1.

The San Beda Red Cubs have a 4-2 slate with the Arellano Braves and the Junior Pirates are contention with their 4-3 card.

The games of John Barba has made the Junior Pirates’ games in the first round something to remember.

The Games of NCAA Season 93 Junior Basketball: More on the best games of Kobe Camacho and the Arellano University Braves (part 3)

(Notes: With season 94 already going on, the Arellano Braves will banner new faces and veterans who will try to make their experience in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball wars a memorable one. We were supposed  to see how the Braves are as a team this season when they start their campaign against the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas in an 8 a.m. game today (July 17). But heavy rains brought by Typhoon Henry wiped out their scheculed encounter. This is the second time that we missed a game of the Braves because of bad weather.  As for season 93, one of their games in the first round was a memorable one. On Aug. 08 2017, Kobe Camacho and Aaron Fermin came up with exceptional games).

The Arellano Braves playing defense with Kobe Camacho (16) guarding the left flank. He is with teammates like Resty Fornis(10), Marlon Espiritu(13), Jericho Liangco (6) and Roy Velasco (19).

08 Aug. 2017

Tuesday,

FilOil-Flying V Arena,

San Juan

The Arellano University Braves fought to survive and stay in contention for their best finish on this day, and early in the first round.

Camacho, one of their top shooters, and Fermin, one of the season’s top rebounders, were fighting hard in their game against the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy Brigadiers.

The 5’11 Camacho fired 16 points while Fermin shot15 points and had 17 rebounds when they rolled back the Brigadiers, 83-65.

The Braves, led by Aaron Fermin (11) at right, try to get past the EAC-ICA Brigadiers in their offense.

“Stick lang kami sa game plan. Kahit na lumamang sila, tinuloy pa rin namin ang plano namin sa training,” said Camacho, who was not in the groove with his shooting the first half.

At first, the Brigadiers were leading, 26-24, in the closing minutes of the second period, and that’s off a three-pointer from Rey de Quiros in the last 2:25.

Then, Fermin came into the picture with a putback with 1:26 to go for a 26-all deadlock.

Braves big man Resty Fornis defends at the right wing while teammate Marlon Espiritu (13) passes left.

Fred Segura’s trey, and Fermin’s charities allowed the Braves to finish the first half with a 30-26 lead.

Stepping up in the second half, Rey Domingo’s putback and charity in the last 6:56, saw the Braves moving away by seven, 38-31.

Next, Camacho struck following three turnovers, and after scoring repeatedly, the Braves were comfortably ahead, 45-31, with 5:26 remaining in the third.

Arellano Braves cager Roy Velasco attempts a free throw while teammates Marlon Espiritu (13) looks on with Resty Fornis (10).

 

The Braves eventually bloated their lead to 25 points, 70-45, off Camacho’s incursion in the last 1:34.

When it was over the Braves picked up their fourth win in six games.

“Laro lang. Preparation ito para sa mga darating na games,” said Braves coach Tylon Darjuan.

Marlon Espiritu of the Arellanoa Braves look for an open man. Looking on is coach Tylon Darjuan, and other teammates and coaching staff.

The Braves are tied with San Beda Red Cubs with the same record.

Because of this, they are in contention for Final Four berth.

Camacho’s six-game average was was 23.8 minutes, 17.8 points and 3.2 rebounds.

Braves cager Jericho Liangco (6) prepares to get the loose ball while teammate Roy Velasco (19) gets entangled in a rebound play with EAC-ICA cagers.

He and Fermin were the top performing Braves with Fermin norming 27.3 minutes, 16 points, 16.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.