Ilonggo hoops star Rose completes transfer to LPU

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

One of the biggest names in the Iloilo high school basketball scene is headed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

After another impressive showing during the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, John Elijah Luke Rose is ready for a bigger step toward his basketball dream after getting recruited by the Lyceum of the Philippines-Cavite Junior Pirates.

With the recent offseason move, the 16-year-old point guard from Pavia, Iloilo, completed his transfer from St. Robert’s International College of Iloilo and became the latest Ilonggo star to test the waters in Manila.

“Good evening sir, legit na sir,” said St. Robert’s head coach John Guanco in an exclusive interview with Daily Guardian.

“The higher the competition, mas dako ang chance mag grow kag mag learn. He has already done enough for the basketball program.”

Brought under coach Guanco’s wing when he first arrived at St. Robert’s as a 14-year-old youngster, Rose already showed the talent and the guard’s tremendous feel for the game.

All the hard work then paid off when Rose helped St. Robert’s clinch back-to-back Iloilo Private Schools Athletic Association championship titles, while also earning a big break after Western Visayas qualified for the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.

It was during last year’s Palarong Pambansa that Rose turned heads as he steered Western Visayas to the championship round.

Despite losing to the Davao Region Athletic Association, Rose had already built a name for himself, attracting offers from numerous Manila-based schools.

Before transferring to LPU, Rose played his last game for St. Robert’s during the 2026 Chairman’s Cup Philippines, where he was crowned Finals Most Valuable Player.

Rose delivered a clutch performance against Cebu, scoring 11 crucial points in the fourth quarter of the grand finals to lift Iloilo in the prestigious grassroots basketball league.

According to Guanco, it was his former player, Spencer Pretta, who helped connect Rose to LPU and its current chief tactician, former PBA player Chico Lanete.

“Damo gusto sang services ya sir. But his manong Spencer, former player man sang aton basketball program, ang nag hatag way para maka sulod sya sa LPU,” added Guanco.

Rose will still have two eligible playing years in the NCAA and will officially make his debut starting Season 102.

“God bless Luke sa imo nga journey,” Guanco continued.

“Kabay pa nga tanan nga mga challenges nga ma atubang mo kaya mo, kag tani indi mag bag-o kung ano ang drive mo nga ma lab-ot ang imo handom. Always stay grounded.”