Harbour will be missed - Barroca

MANILA, Philippines - For rookie guard Mark Barroca, playing and winning one for Harbour Centre was a great and gratifying experience.

Not only did he get the opportunity to play for a champion team but also proved that he could play in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the same conviction, resilience and panache he normally dishes out while playing for Far Eastern University in the UAAP.

“I learned a lot from playing for Harbour Centre in the PBL,” said the 22-year-old pride of Zamboanga. “It helped improve my confidence and it was great to be part of the champion team. I will cherish my experiences with the team, especially with the management.”

Barroca’s sentiment was echoed by veteran center Rico Maierhofer, forward Jerwin Gaco and rookies PJ Barua and RJ Cawaling.

Small wonder, they were saddened by Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero’s announcement to disband the team after winning their sixth straight title – a feat that established the Batang Pier as the greatest amateur squad in modern days.

“Nakapang hinayang naman kasi dahil halos lahat ng mga college players ay gustong maglaro sa Harbour Centre sa PBL. Iba ang dating kapag nakasuot ka ng Harbour Centre uniform, proud na proud ka,” said Barroca, who won the Finals MVP trophy after coming through with clutch baskets that turned a tightly-fought contest into a rout.

“Honestly, tumaas talaga ang level ng laro ko when I started playing for Harbour. Iba ang kalakaran duon, you have to be tough and smart in all games,” said Barroca.

Barroca said winning a championship and emerging as the Finals MVP would be his badge of honor when he pursues his dream of playing in the PBA someday.

Right now, Barroca and FEU teammate Cawaling will focus their time and energy for the RP team.

Maierhofer, on the other hand, expressed delight working with Romero, coach Jorge Gallent and team manager Erick Arejola, saying: “They’re one of the best basketball organizations in the country. Walang problema, everybody is happy each time we win a game.”

The 6-foot-6 La Salle star said he learned to embrace Romero’s never-say-die attitude when he started playing for the Batang Pier.

“Kahit lamang ang kalaban at hindi pa tapos ang laro, parati naming iniisip na may pagasa pa kaming manalo. And that’s the case always,” said Maierhofer, who was part of the team’s three championships.

Barua, the 6-foot-2 guard from La Salle, attributes his much improved defensive game to the philosophy of the team.

, saying: “Hindi puede lalambot-lambot sa Harbour that’s why I learned to be tough defensively.”

The sweet-shooting Ilonggo, however, won’t be around in the next conference as he will concentrate with his training with the La Salle team for the coming UAAP season. But he wishes to be part of the new Romero team — R2 Builders — when the UAAP season is over.

“I just love the people running the show,” said Barua.